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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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TO THE 



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BY 



itJNDRY INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF LEBANON 
MADISON COUNTY. 

CONTAINING 

, i\ Defence o? i\\e CowstkuUow of this State^ 

IN A VIEW OF THE 

LANS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW YORK STATE 
TRACT SOCIETY AND JOHN V, N. YAlES. ESQ. SEC 
. , RETARY OF STATE AND ACTING SUPERINTEN- 
I DENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS, 

* "■ WITH AW 



IN CONTINUATION OF THE SUBJECT, 



AND 






^<» 



ALSO 



\e Eepovt of t\\e Committee ott LUevatuve \\\ t\ie 
Sciaate, upou tVie MemoviaV, kc. 



AND 



C0KCL\]B13VG KE^ailKS, 



HAMILTON, N. Y. 

5BIKTED BV J. p. VAMSICE, &• CO, 



1826, 





V 




To the Public, 

It was intended that t\ie following documents should have been laid 
before the people last spring ; but the delay has been unavoidable, owing 
to the interference of individual concerns with the leisure which the com- 
mittee found necessary to prepare a second copy for the press. But our 
subject is not the matter of a moment— it is not co.)fii.ed to this year or 
the next. The most essential facts should not soon be forgotten, and the 
principles which the facts illustrate', will endure and apply, while a shred 
is left upon the standard of American Freedom. Republicans of eve- 
ry class— who are worthy of the name ;— we request an attentive pe- 
rusal. 

Lebanon, DecembiTj 182& 




Presented in Senate, Jan. 31, 1825, 

To t\\e Honourable the Sewale and ilssemUy of t\ie. 
Stale o? Kew-^ork. 

The memorial ofthe undersigned, inhabitants of the town of Lebanonj 

Kesfectfully Represents — 

That certain uocuments relating to common schools were, in the 
months of July and August last transmitted to the people of this state, 
through the officers of their common schools by John V. N. Yates, Esq. 
Secretary of State and acting Superintendent of Common Schools ; which 
documents, upon due examination, your memorialists are alarmed to 
find, highly dangerous in their nature and tendency, and, as they con» 
ceive, plaiidy repugnant to the constitution of this state. 

The documents referred to. are 

1st, A Circular (maiked A) tlated Albany July 30, 1824, and addressed to " CoQi» 
uiJssioners, Inspt ctor« and Tri!<!tees of Commou Schools tbroiighont the State." 

lu this Circular, the acting Superintendent relers to another circular, addressed to 
tlie same officer* iu the month of Jnne previous, " advising the introduction of Tracts 
into all our common schools. — The circular of June, to which he refers, has never 
reached us. The object of the circular of July 30, is evidently to recommend and 
distribute to each school in the stat* , a tract, entitled " The Pensioner and his daugii- 
t<r Jani^"' transmitted by the Netv-York State Tract Society, and upon the cover of 
«'hich the circular is printed. — We may add, that upon the cover.of the same Tract, 
is to b'; ibnnd a *' Plan oi' a register of merit" and of the mode of using Tracts as 
jjremimns in a comnjon school, together with an account of the Celebiatioa at Salem, 
pioijosf;;! as a motlel for imitation, — a note, snggpstiog a new mode of raising money 
to i>\ire\V'\s.vprfmmms (or the sclio'ars, by selling tickets of admission to the spectators 
at Ce!fc>bratioiJs~and an advertisement of the Tract Society, briefly stating, that f Ae^ 
expect to fiirnish the tracts and other reward book;; tor the use of the schools, at cer- 
tain prices. 

2d. A "Circular" (maiked B) dated Albany August 1, 1824, addressed " to the 
Lomniisijioiiers, Inspectors, Tiiistees and Teachers of Common Schools, and to the 
Town Clerks and District Clerks throughout t!ie State." The object of this circular is 
to transmit " tlie afcompanying Instructions for establishing Common School Celcbra- 
tioiis i,i the several towns in this htate ;" — to recommend the Flan of Celebrations and 
tontiiine liis adricfi li; A the Tracts be used in the schools and at these Celebrations as 
]ircmlums for srhouir'^hip and behaviour ; and also to propose several methods of raising 
nioiiey to p'.irciiasej'VY/mM.'ns au-.i rcrcard looks. 

3d. '* Instructions lor csiabiishiug Common Schnol Celebrations" accompanying the 
last mentioned Circuiai-, and bearing the same ((ate. (Marked C) 

Tiu'se Circulars aiin Justrucl ions are ail signed " J. V. N. Yates Acting Swperin 
tendnif of Common Schools," and the Circulars are headed officially *' State op 
N£\v-Yoi:k, Vecretauy's Office," 

A copy of each said Circulars, lustructions and Tract is herewith respectfully 
j)if'seiUed. 

These communications appear to your memorialists to infringe two 

'Mitincl sections ofthe constitution. 



iNt. The " iNsiin'titoNs'' of (ho ncting vSupriiiiloiHtoiit, " (or rstaK«l 
lisliii)}^ cominoii srli(»i>l rj'NilMalions,'' «i)iiliun, us wr liiiuililv com cn r 
a <lii«M'( violation ol (l»i> ls( SnMion o(" (lie Isl Ailit'lc of the ("oiisdiiilion 
wliioli ii'iul . (liUH, "The l«;j>is|a(ivo power of (Ins s(;ilt', shall be v«;3(fii 
ill n Sfiiutr iind an Asst'iiilily." I 

Yiuir iiirmonHhsIs pirleiul not to he terhnionl cxpoiiniJcrs of Inw ; — I 
yrl wv \ivi>, \vi\\v (o oIjscivo, (hii( (ho coiistilutioii uikI laws siiv aiUlrivssod I 
to tjverv »|i»(«s of (Vcnin'ij, iiml wo iiitiy surtiv !)»' pcnniUotl (o t-xprcsw 
oni" opinions as (o llu' (nir intention and nnMnini^ — th(> common ^tensv nf 

I( ap|w<ai'H lo (hr hiintMc ojiinion of yoiir nuMnoiialists, that by (ho 
Won! /««»v, inv(ilvt>i| liv llm ("onstitntion in the phrasf, '• lejjslative pow . 
er,'^ wo aiT r.itioMiilly l<> iimltMNtand (host* orisrjnnl rtihs nf at/mn, (/ 
(rettay st itiil<-s\ to which iin'U('ilia(oly, nndor \\w oonstilntioii, rvery oi- 
firor •!' govornintiiit is to look (or >i[tiiclain'o ami (hrcction in tluMJiilies of 
l»H oflicc, luitl whifh, hoiiig coiisisli>iit with (he »'oiistiliitit>n, he is honul 
io olir\ , - 

Thf St'iiato and Assnnhly i'(institntf the exclusive organ for ostahlis! 
lishin;; thest; rules. 

NVithont inipiirin!; how r,irtli(> li>i:isl,iliv(> hoviv may have power to di! 
0'.!:H(e su'tordinate powers of hviislation, Y*>'ir lurmoriulists, in relloctiiij; 
\ipon (Ills intrii ale siih|eet would re>;pectl\illy oU^M've, that one princi- 
ple appears to he clear. — Cut the power of m ik it'i; t»risfinnl r!i!<'t >/"(( 
tion anil the pover of txecnt'itjii thfin ire distinct powers, not u1Iv')w«mI U- 
our eonstitiitiou to exist at once in the saint; oflice ; that however an ev 
ofiitive or judicial olKeer inay not Iind every thing in a law, which tu 
may think neces^iiiary to rcMidtM* the law complete, vet he has no rijjht to 
li»ikt> the additional piovisions. — "Pijo sacred powers of leifislation hc- 
loni; to tlu> Senate and \ssi>in'»ly iilono, and although they may, tluf»n_u:h 
ovtM'si.'jit or niadvertuiii-e, or t>ven intentionally tleleij;ate to hrn unliai 
ted and discretion.n'V powc^r ; yet, in nsin^ tint po\v«M", even for henrii 
rial purposes, A*" can never he tht> eonstitntional IV uni»r of or*i>oiu/ /<;., 
TUere is a lioiii ht>yond which, thon^h elotheil with the most discretion 
arv powers, ho can neve»r pas^. — and (hut Innit la, tht most plain and «: 
ul<nt mti-nt and mfnnins; <•/* ^'^«; Ain> hefort) him. 

This intent and meanini!; of the law must, in mir linmhle opniion, he 
the int ution and infiinini^ of the Jrit-'nt-rs thfmstU'i}!, and cannot inchulo 
any rnle t)r cointlnutntn which eonhl not have h:«en known to them, or 
ivitliin their reach or consiih>ration at the timt^ o( making the Ihw ; — »nd 
iu> ntw fintutr could ever l*e implanted upon the law atferwards, with- 
out their tituietion or eoiiiient. 

This principle app«ars to ytnir metnoriahsts to he plainly recos;niy.ed 
in the secmid Sectnni o{ the ** Act for the snp[>oH of common school>," 
the example o*" >vhioli we shall sv>.>n have occasion to cite. If we un- 
thi^tand the , onstitution, the grand I'eatiires of the law must be drawn by 
the Senate and Assemblv. though the tiner shndus and touchin^s of van 
«>(i application niay be laid on by the expositor. 



Vour uwinoriaiisls now beii lo:tvo io Uiiu to thc^i.i Instructtous, tlm. 
chaructor of which, in our humble view, ;\m>o:u-s thus : — 

The subject nuUttM' of (he lu-itruotions eoiild not h:ivo been known to 
the fmivuMs o\ tho law. The phia appcnrs to have ori|;lnj\(eil withiu a 
year with tho Rev. Dr. I'rouiU'it of Salem ; — to have been communiea- 
ttul bv him lo the New- York State Tract Society ; — by them, with high 
jTeommeudations, to the aotiiii; sujuM-intendent of common schools, and 
by lum pronuil;iated to the people as Aire, in the manner bet'ore us. 

'I'hev eotUain as leading, as original anil as pi eminent rules ol aetion, 
as the *' Aet for the support o( eommen schools," and some ot them 
contain nuM-e distinct features of /><:»' than many |)rovisions of real statute^ 

Thev establish a new kind o( school districts lor special purposes. — 
They constitute a new boaal of oftkei-s for special purposes. They give 
new powers to the commissionei's. They give new powers tc the inspec- 
tors. They impose new duties npon the town tdeiks. They impose 
new duties upon the district clerks. They impose new and special du- 
ties upon the teachers, in order to make them subordinate to the purpo- 
ses of these new districts. 

Where a district lies in two or more towns, thev protend to dispense 
the privilege of choice to the trustees, as to whicl) of the new districta 
they will belong. 

These instructions are not, in our humble view, subordinate applicn* 
tions of the law. They are not '* necessary and proper''' lor carrying 
.that law intoetlect. If adnnssible. they constitute one o( (hose ** plans 
or the better organization oi' comnuni schools,'' eontemplateil in the Od 
Settion of (he Act, whieh the superin(eni.lei\t is rtnpiired ** to dt;;est and 
jM-epare and report to the legislature'' tor their deliberation and deeision. 

\ our memorialists are ready to admit, that to us, the o8th Section ot 
the '* .Vet for the support of Common Schools," appears to be somewhat 
indcttnite and obscure as to the extent of power intended to be delegated 
to the superintendent, relative to Insinicttons, — lie is there directed, with 
other duties, to cause " Sneh instructjons as shall be thought necessary 
and proper for the better government anil organization of connnon >chools, 
to be printed, publisheil aiul distributed among the several school distriets 
in this state in sueh manner as he shall deem proj)er," Whether, in the 
expression, '* shall be thought nfcessan/ and proper,''^ an obscurity was in- 
tended, to operate as a check upon the power of the superintendent, 
your memorialists confess themselves unable to determine : — But in (ho 
'id Section, there aie abundant checks, which in our humble opinion, leave 
the acting superintendent in this case, wholly without excuse for this ex- 
ercise of arbitrary power. — 'I'here, his duty is plainly eertineil to certain 
limits; — There, he is directed to ''digest and jMepare and rtf^orl to the 
Itgislature plans for the better oj-gtmiiication of common schools,',? — 
and against,. it is made his duty '' to perloin) nil such services rela-* 
tive to the wellurc of common schools, ai? he shall be dimted <o/>er- 
form.^'^ 

It is idle lor the acting Superintendert lo preh^nd that the?e instruc- 
tions were ''necessary s»d proper" to luUilthe uiovijions o\ the aet.- - 



There is in ourluimbic opinion, no 3uch iieceisity or propnet}'.— We mfght 
observe, upon the first article o( his Instrnctions. that the farthest territori- 
.1! limits of organization prescribed by the act, are those of school distnr.t& 
to be formed and regulated as the laro directs, and there is not the mostdis- 
aiit hint in the act, that a sciioiar is ever required or even invited to pass 
the hmits of his own district. Similar remarks might be made upon the 
rest of his Instructions. 

It appears to yoar memoriaiisis, that the actinscSnperintendent has, 
from the supposition that his powers are undefined, assumed the rij^ht of 
making amf.'rti'//.'M'n/5 to the act. — If we admit this principle of innovation, 
there is, in our humbie opinion, no difference between -making laws 
and expounding them. The ist Section of the Constitution is a mere 
shadow. 

Whatever is tyranny or usurpation in the view of common sense, must 
f;urely be so in the view of our excellent constitution, which evidently 
means to guard aiiainst improper legislation in avevy shape. To suppose, 
even that the Sen 1 to and Assembly themselves can delegate their power 
cf legislation, or of making nrru or original rules of action, to any indi- 
vidual whatever, is, in our humble view, revolting to the most plain dic- 
tates of reason and reilsiction. — Tliis principle of loose construction is 
without bounds- -it not only gives power to an individual to make laws, 
but it gives power to delegate power to others to make laws at discretion : 
it would make our executive list, from the Governor to the pathmaster, a 
mere gradation of despots : — admitting for a mornent, this monstrous 
latitude, — our '• Constitution," to use the style of the learned Mnshall, 
the pride and ornament of our national court, '' would he nothing but a 
spleadi-d bauble; — niagniticent indeed to look at, but totally unfit for 
use." 

Surely the acting Superintendent will not tell us, that he only meant 
to 5j;ive advice. The terms of power and direct cgmmand, so free- 
ly dealt out upon the face of these Instructions, leave no doubt ta 
your memorialists as to their meaning and intention. That he inten- 
ded to have tiiem received throughout the state as Laiu, or obligatory 
upon all those to whom his attending circular was directed, cannot be de- 
nied. 

There is a remiining trait on this singular production, which your 
Yr^emoriaiists are surprised to see drawn by the hand of so polished and 
enlightened a character as the Secretary of this State and acting Superin- 
tencieiit of Comnmn Schools — ought to be. It is found in the .Vo/e ap- 
peiidcd to his Instructions, where he tells us, " that he expects a prompt 
andfaiilifnl confpl'ance witli tiiem, and hopes to hear of no complnmts ij 
the conlrar:p''—iiud intimates at the same time, his power of deciding on 
,M'PEAr,, in cape his instructions are disregarded. We would here re- 
spectfully ask,— Did tlic framers of the amendment to the •" Act for the 
■siipport of common schools" (passed April 1822,) ever intend to give 
that superintendent or any other the povi'er of deciding on appeals rela- 
ting merely to his discretionary instructions ? To suppose liim possessed 
af Ibis power, would be. in our humble OFJinion, to condense the who!-; 



Hct iuto this monstrous clause, that the acting Superintendent shal»j- 

BE THE' SOLE LEGISLATOR /INU Sui'REME JuDGE OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM^ 

I'his peremptory language of the Siiperinteodeut, attached to such in- 
structions, in the very outset, must, in our humble view, be far from ex- 
citing, either complacency or respect, in the breasts of intelligent free- 
men. 

In closing this division of our unpleasant subject, your memorialists 
cannot but pause a moment, to compare the Instructions before us, with 
those of Gideon Hawley Esq, tlie state Superintendent of Common Schools, 
published in 1819 ; — to contrast, in short, the vaporing and dogmatic feat- 
ures of the one, with the valuable and interesting matter, and modest and 
unassuming character of the other. 

Your memorialists beg leave to consider the point established, that 
in issuing these Instructions, the acting Superintendent has not only 
disregarded, but directly violated the 1st Section of the 1st Article of the 
Constitution. 

2dly. We consider all these circulars and instructions as clearly oppo- 
sed to the 3d Section of the 7 th Article of the Constitution, in their spirit 
and details. 

The acting Superintendent had long since given us his decision as to 
the general course of studies to be pursued in common schools. We do 
not pretend to find fault with that decision, or to say that it is imperfect V 
but from the J^ote attached to his Exposition of the same date, (April 29, 
1822.) it might have been rational to expect, that the ""New Instruc- 
tions" which he proposed " to issue in a short time, as to the course of 
studies to be pursued, and the books to be used in common schools," 
would at least have been harmless — that they might perhaps have added 
to the list, the interesting and increasingly popular study of English 
Grammar, and an attentive and intelligent perusal ot our state a7id na- 
tional Constitutions. These, together with tl^je branches of reading, wri- 
ting, arithmetic and geography, upon which he had decided, -and history 
and stenography which he had recommended, would have formed a sys- 
tem of studies, useful and applicable to every class of our citizens, and 
impartially avoiding, in the exercise of reading, all articles which might 
disturb the peace of the rising community, — liable to no objections. 

Little did we expect, after a lapse of two years' deliberation, to find 
his first official recommendation be&toWed upon those exceptionable things, 
called Tracts, and we were astonished to find, that the first exercise of 
his more than questionable authority in the way of Instructions, was ex- 
clusively appropriated to the establishment of religions exercises, in the 
common schools of the state. We sayexclusiveli/,, because it is futile to 
pretend, considering the scattered population oX our country towns, and 
the unequal advantages for improvement arising from the differences of 
wealth and situation which frequently exist between various districts iu 
the same town, and various scholars in the same distiict, that there can 
be any fair and equitable estimation of the relative merits of the youth- 
ful competitors; of course, there is little to expect from this system of 
public Gomparison, but unjust, invidious, and lasting distinctions among 



'tile rising generation, unfounded in real merit, and utterly inconsistent 
with the !-[)irit of our free institutions ; and it can not he pretended, that 
any material advances in education are to he aiade ut tlie?e celebrations ; 
it is evident then, that the primary and exclusive objects of the cele- 
brations are ^oarat^e and re/Z^jowi- »^ec^ But, should a doubt still linger 
upon your honorable minds, as to the motives of the superintendent, your 
memorialists would respectfully wish to have it remembered, that those 
towns, which from any reason whatsoever, have no '•'' church or pub lit 
place of divine xoorship,'''' are not included in the instructions ; — that m 
both the hte circulars, the tracts, (which are well knoivn to emanate from 
certain religious sects or societies) are ojicia/ly recommended for distri- 
bution at these celebrations as the best pr<'iniurns for scholarship and be- 
liaviour that could be devi.-^ed ; — that it was not sufficient for the super- 
intendent to eulogize this plan, by speaking of the " formation of cor- 
rect moral habits," " moral cultivation" and the tracts furnishing 
"''food for the h^art f but he enthusiastically calls the whole system •' the 
cause of God, undone zuhich Prcvidence 7vill surely cons >' crate and pros- 
per ;''"' and finally, that the supreme attribute of being exalted above all 
praise, is bestowed upon the Rev. Dr. Alexander Proudfit. a distinguish- 
ed Presbyterian clergyman, '^ for taking the lead in this benfvolent zoork.^^ 

Your memorialists here beg leave to drop a word upon the Tracts, so 
highly sustained by the oficial recommendations of the superintendent. 
They appear to consist frequently if not mostly of romances, havi'ig lit- 
tle or no foundation in facts, all bearing a religious character, and often 
containing an account of some extraordinary or miraculous convt:rsion, 
generally wrought by the hands of some clergyman or missionary, or by 
some incident in which the tract society or its friends letaiu a;i appropri- 
ate share of credit. They are the creatures of that society, which m-iy 
be easily and cheaply modelled and managed to suit the views of their 
framers, alternating fictions with passages from the Holy Scriptures, and 
pathetic exhortations. One hardly needs, in our humble opiu>on. a bet- 
ter illustration of the character given to these tracts, than a simple peiU' 
sal of the Tract entitled " The Pensioner and his daughter Janc^'''' dis- 
tributed by the New-York State Tract Society, througii the hands and 
ofHcial patronage of the superintendent, as a ''' specimen^'' of the tracts 
with which they expect to furnish our common schools. In this view of 
their character and origin, it is evident to your memorialists, that their 
introduction iiito the com:non schools of the stale u.ider the sanction of 
the superintendent, is a transaction, pernicious in its nature and tenden» 
ey, and dangerous in its consequences. 

While in the spirit of our (vee constitution, your memorialists would 
never molest tiiose devoted to the personal interests of the clergy, in dis- 
tributing these religious and romantic tales, and experiments upon the 
passions, to those who choose to read them, and consider them as pre- 
cious : — yet the moment we see their authors at the elbow of a public of- 
ficer, endeavoring to crowd these works or their religious exercises upon 
us or our children, by the arm of authority ; we feel bound in behalf of 
^ounseivcs. and fellow citizens, to apprize the Honorable Sentinels of out 



aonstilutional rights, that tliey may hail the intruder, and bid him td 

STAND, 

Your memoriahsts hunibly conceive, (hat in the whole of these circu- 
lars and instructions, the acting Superintendent has grossly violated the 
constitution of this state, by transgressing the 3d. Section of the 7th. Ar- 
ticle, which is in these words, " The free exercise and enjoyment of re- 
hgious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall 
forever be allowed in this state to all mankind ; but the liberty of con- 
science hereby secured, shall not be so construed, as to excuse .acts of li- 
centiousness, or to justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety 
of this state." 

It appears plain to your memorialists, that this Section, like many 
others in the Constitution, has a t omplele control over every department 
of the government, and that its evident intention is not only to restram 
the lates, mandates and decrees of the legislative, executive and judicial 
classes, but to blot out every discriminal'mg or preferring rr.ltgums feature 
from every offidal recummcndalioa or other qfficiai conduct of a pubiic of- 
ficer. — To vary the point of view — Thepowers and imposing charnct< rs cf 
office belong to the people, and the people de <;>'te those powers and 
characters, under this express condition, that in using them, there shall he 
no religious discrimination or preftrence. 

It has been truly obfe^erved, by a feeling and eloquent statesman,* that 
"It is on the rock of religious liberty, which lies, as a broad and deep sub- 
stratum, under the United States of America, that their civil liberties 
are happily founded." " To dispense and to receive the blessings of an 
unshackled conscience," is not only the highest privilege of tVeemen. but 
it is absolutely necessary to the preservation of our individual rights and 
the permanence of our free institutions. The wise framers of our State 
Constitution showed, in penning this article, that the map of human na- 
ture was spread before them ; — that the clashings of religious opinion 
would exist in a free state, and that to silence these clashings, or to ^\ve 
power to any sect of the combatants, however numerous, would be to a-* 
bridge the liberties of a part olConmmnit). They had abundant evidence 
from the page of history, that persecution, slavery, bloodshed and every 
crime that could disgrace hum.an nature, had been sancttojied by the 
prostituted seals of religion, & that the clergy were not linfrequently found 
in the ranks of oppression, and by their leanung, their counsels and in- 
trigues, guiding and inspiring the unhallowed conflict with the friends of 
liberty. Indeed, we can not have language, which more clearly expres- 
ses a thorough sense of these considerations, than the words of the pre- 
amble, or reason given in the old constitution, for the article secu» 
ring religious freedom. " And whereas," say the venerable authors 
of that instrument, " we are required by the benevolent principles of 
rational liberty, not only to expel civil tyranny, but also to guard a« 
gainst that spiritual oppression and intolerance, whenwdh the bigotry and 
ambition of weak and w> eked priests and princes have scourged nutnk(nd :" 
■= — of course, they resolved, that while they excluded public officers ivom 

* T#ncfe Cose, Esq. — See Edinburg'h Encyclopaedia, YoU 1, page 65^. 

2 



10 



t)eing officially teachers of religion, they would exclude ojficial teachers of 
religion from hem^ public officers. 

To apply the case — When John V. N. Yates, Esq. was made Secre- 
tary of State, the Constitution and his oath required that as Sccrttary, lie: 
should not be a discriminating or preferring teacher of religion, or in 
other words, that as Secretary, he should be no teacher of rt- ii<iion at all, 
,ind whenever he becomes the character which he has partly assumed, 
the Reverend John V. N. Yates, tl>e constitution very kindly disburdens 
him of the Secretary's office. Again — Though invested at this time with 
the Secretary's office, he has an undoubted right, as simply John V. JV. 
Yates, Esq. a private cil'zen, to "freely speak, write and publish hi* 
sentiments, on all subjects," including those of religion, yet the moment 
he applies the seals of office to promote the objects, interests or views of 
any sect or religious party, under any pretence whatever, he infringes the 
constitution. 

Upon this point of so deep concern, your memorialists would respect- 
fully add one suggestion. — Did the framers of our constitution, in enact- 
ing the 3d and 4th Sections of the 7th Article, intend to countenance or 
even tolerate the morrstrous idea, that the clergy, while excluded from 
opni p'luer, should ever be admitted by any ofiicer of State to the more 
dangerous station of counsel and adviser, and thus be enabled, by the 
usurpation of indirect authority, to produce all those paraliz.ng effects 
upon our freedom, which their direct power might have established, and 
which the articles in question were evidently framed to prevent ? 

In vain will the SuperintendeiH urge, that, in officially distributing 
tracts, and in attempting to delegate power to the Commissioners and 
Inspectors of common schools '* for establishing religious exercises,'''' at 
their discretion, he acted without discrimination or preference. Upon 
no ground can this position be defended, but by supposing that the Com- 
missioners and Inspectors of Common Schools were capable of selecting, 
an indiscriminale and impartial religion — an absurdity in its very terms. 
The only alternative then would be, to establish a hydra of oppression — 
a system of petty religious tyrannies, in every town of the state. 

Did your memorialists say, every town ? — No — The instructions only 
apply to " each ioxon containing a church or public place of divine worship.''^ 
How will the Superintendent escape th^s charge of partiality ? Will he 
tell us that he meant town houses, county houses, or other large commo- 
dious buildings ? flis words imply no such thing. The most natural 
meaning then must be, in our humble conception, to confine the celebra- 
tions to each town only, which has some clergyman to superintend and 
tlirect the morals and religious opinions of the children. In reading 
these Instructions, one would naturally suppose, that the Superintendent 
in his zeal, had actually mistaken the Constitution of Massachusetts, for 
the fre« and enlightened Charter of New- York. 

But, considering the apparent object and pernicious tendency of 
these circulars and instructions, we are happy to find upon their ve- 
ry faces, abundant evidence of their partiality. Do not the Tracts 
emanate from a particular Religious Society or party ? Are they not cal- 



u 

ijukted to increase the votaries, to enlarge the interests and to promote 
the views of that party ? Can that officer pretend, that he is impartialj 
in selecting a Presbyterian Doctor of Divinity, as his best adviser in the 
acts of State ? We ask no more proofs o^ hh partiality : — But we would 
respectfully add one question. — Is it just, — is it consistent, — is it becom- 
ing the Secretary of this State, to take into his official cabinet a man, 
whom our Constitution wisely excludes from civil office ;- -to use the 
pen of the people to exalt him to the heavens ; — to accept without re- 
serve his plans and recommendations, objectionable and suspicious in their 
chsiracter and origin ; — to puflf them before the intelligent citizens of a 
free state, and exclaim, in the arrogated language of unauthorized pow- 
er, " Go ye and do likewise .^" 

Your memorialists vvould now beg leave to advert to the specious pre-= 
tences for these unconstitutional and arbitrary measures. These preten- 
ces are in various forms. 

The zealous Secretary has not yet informed us respecting the '• incal- 
culably great benefits" that are to "result" from these celebrations and 
tracts : — neither has he detailed to us the particular advantages of the 
parade at Salem. The jnquiring minds of a discerning people will not 
be saticfied with his dogma, that we " need not doubt its utility or 
success." 

One specious argument is drawn from the beneficial effects of celebra- 
tions in colleges and academies. But to apply the principle, " other 
things being equal" — to render the comparison complete, we must sup- 
pose, on the one hand, the scholars of these colleges and academies to 
be thrown into the same diversified condition of unequal situations and 
advantages for improvement, with the members of common schools, and 
on the other hand, we must confine each common school celebration to 
one district alone. Upon the Superintendent's, or rather Dr. Proudfit's 
plan, the impossibility of a fair comparison is seen at once. 

It is with pain, that your memorialists discover in these documents, a 
strange perversion of language. The expressions, " moral cultivation," 
" sacred duties," " benevolent cause" and " promotion of virtue," are 
dealt out with an unreserved hand, as if they could justify this unright- 
eous preparation for an Established Religion, How far the zeal of a 
civil officer in " the cause of God,'- in " the formation of correct mor- 
al habits" and " the encouragement of virtue," is consistent with his 
forgetting that sacred obligation which binds him to the constitution of his 
country, we can not but leave to the unbiassed conscience to determine. 
Such wild notions of morality and virtue may well suit the mind of a big- 
otted Ferdinand ; but to find them harbored for a moment, by a distin- 
guished officer of an enlightened republic, is astonishing indeed! 

The free investigation of this subject presents many considerations 
which we would willingly avoid. But an attachment to our beloved Con- 
stitution, and a sense of imperious duty to ourselves and to posterity, 
require, that while we treat all those concerned with a becoming deco- 
rum, we should use the most unhesitating frankness in the discussion of 
our common interests. 



Tar be it from voiir mcmoriali?!* (o pro?ont to vour ho.Moiiible ))ocfv 
declaiiaii disscnlion? ; — lo disttir'o (he temts, or (>j)i>03(: the people of any 
denorniiiatior) whatsoever. We are of various sects arui denominations 
oyff'elves, and however we miy dilFer in reiiu'iuiit: profe^jiions and wor- 
ship, yet there is here one rallying point to which our enc/ieL? are directs 
edv — the preservnlion of our religious freedom, unslutckUd hij the hijlnencs 
or authority of civil porvr. 

Composed as your memoriahats are, of variou? donoiniinlUja? of pro- 
fe'ised christian'3, we feel extremely delicate in arraigning here, at>y ar- 
ti' le of relij[ioiis faith. Yit there is one, sometimes avowed, so irjconsis- 
tent in its own character, and so evidently tesiding to "justify practices 
inconsistent wth the peace or safety of this state," that we cauiiot do 
jn>(ice lo our subject to pa>^<* it by unnoticed. The doctrine is this — tlral 
nhnistrrs of^th'' ^nspd ought to he considered as a distinct order in civil ao- 
ci-t'. superior 1 1 ith'r m mbers of corrimunit'/, and that tu contribute t'o 
their dighitf and support, is a dutt/ from whu-h none can he exempt. We, 
trii^ft, Ihat M>iir honorable body vvill perceive, that this belief, so daniicr- 
onsni Its tendencv and consecjuences, is uiconsislcnt even wi(h the clnis- 
ti.ln profession ; for one proiisinent statute of its /n-al Founder, (lie Lo'd 
Jifrtiis Christ, thus declares, — " M: k nf^dnni is not of this world.'"' (John 
18. 36.) -and aiain He co;nm;Hnds, " But he ye not railed Rahhi : for one 
isi/oiir'-yMayt'r, evni Christ ; and all ye are hv-thren.'''' (Matthew 23, 8. )i 
Let it not, be forgotten, that our happy Constitution reco:jnizes this safe 
and ijlorious rule of 'hristiamty, in restraining the ambition of its pub- 
lic teachers. This golden precept, if i( can not be remembered, should 
be inscribed upon Xh*^ border of every cleriiyman's srarment, that "" Min.- 
ist rs of the gospel ought NOT to he diverted from the great duties of their- 
functions.-^ The moment then, a Religion, called by the Christian 
name, is established by the hand of earthly power, it is not only denom\- 
ced »» Ant' christian by the Supreme Legislature of real Christianity, but 
it is so considered by the (/onstitution of this State. 

Il IS this spurious Establiihed Religion, under various names, that has 
per.>ecuted all sects and denominations but its own. This is tlie withering 
Smioom. which has so often blasted, on the fertile fields of civil life, ev- 
etv intellectual and moral plant — every cheeringand refreshing shade of 
human sympathy and affection. 

But though (he heart of intolerance and tyranny is sometimes foutwl in 
this happy land ; — it still lives among us without fear or danger; — ^it 
bnnithes uninjured, the same pure air of freedom, and is continually 
tai giit by the inviting, the benevolent and ennobling examples of true 
republicans, the safe and benign influence of our fvfc institutions. 

In passMig from the Supennlendent to the in.-;(iga(ors of his sfraug:; 
communications, your memorialists distinctly avow, that they would be 
far fnim pointing at any class of men as extraordinary or distinguished 
transgressors of the golden rule. Such is the acknowledged degeiif rac\ 
of human nature, that every one is suspicious of those who have intensis 
clashii)'.c vviih ;ii^ o"'ii,and let those interests increase to a sufficient mag-v 
liitmie, the euspicwn n&es to a sense of danger. It becomes us then, a* 



13 

members of'an fnfellicrent and improving republic, never to forjzet the UU" 
deni.^bic fact — however t!ie aspinnii class may labor to conceal it, — that, 
in the lon^ established and prOijressive organizitinns of society there 
are two great inteue t-; ; — the interest of the p/'e dominant portion of 
the cii-rgy. ai d tlie int' ri.st of tht pnoph . 

We need not masiy proofs of this important truth. We need not re- 
pair to the wastes of antiqait y~to see the engrossed lights of knowledgis 
and veliremeni among the Eii\ptian priests, reflecting darkness and ue- 
basemeni upon thi' people, — or to view the imposing solemnities of the 
Fvthian oj-ai le. where (lie priests of Apollo rose to opuience and grand- 
eur by the large contributions of the lower class. We need not leave 
this favored country, to traverse the enslaved lands of Europe and Asia, 
where Religions Est;iblishments, from the Bramins of India to the Bish- 
ops of England, ha^e drawn through every state and condition of socie- 
ty, the long, deep and degrading hnes of division, between the clergy and 
the people. We need not go back to the first settlements and laws of 
Virginia, when *' the poor Quakers were fl} ing from persecution in Eng- 
land :" — when "• they cast their eyes on these new countries as asylums 
of civil and religions freedom ; but they found them free only for the 
reigning sect :" — when those chains of religious intolerance were forged, 
which bound the "ancient dominion" for more than 150 years. We 
need not advert to the happy and eventful period, when those chains 
were broken b\ the counsels of her patriotic and enlightened statesmer; : 
— wiien the illustiious Jefferson, who dared to intimate, in the cause 
of religious and civil freedom,* that it affected not hia rights, " for 
bis neighbor to say there were twenty gods, or no God ; it neither 
picked lii;< pocket, nor broke his leg," — was branded as an injidei by those 
bigotted and aspiring men, whose interest never could unite with the 
interest of the people. — We need not pass the few late years of our own 
remembrance, to the governments of Vermont and Connecticut, where a 
man v^'as absurdly supposed to be born u Presbyterian, and must alienate 

■ — # 

* The words of Mr. Jefferson upon this subject (about 1782) form an elepjant index tp his enrlu=. 
rjnp( character as a statf'srnan Tlip}' are vvorthy of record, aere perennius, upon tables of granite, 
to furnish and adorn every legislative hall in the union. 

" Our rulers" he observes, " cf^n have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted 
to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we couM not submit. We are an-? 
jwerahle for them to our God. TVie legitimate power" of governmeht extend to such acts only as ar&. 
injurious to others. But it does me no injxi slice for my /teigi,hor to say, iiiere are twenty Gods, or no, 
God. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." * * « » * * 

" Was the governirunt to prescribe to u» our medicine and diet, our boiiies would be in such kee- 
ping as our souls are now. Tnus ui France, (he emetic was once fu)i)idiien as a medicine, and the 
potatoe as an article of food. Government is just as infallible too, when it fixes systems m physics. 
Galileo was sent to the inquisition for affirmina;, that the earth was a sphere. The government had 
declared it to be as flat as a trencher, and Galileo was obliged to abjuie his error. This error, how- 
ever, at length prevailerj ; the earth became a globe ; and Descartes declared, it whirled round its 
axis by a vortex. The government in which he lived was wise enough to see that this was no question 
of civil jurisdiction, or we should all have been i.ivolved by authority in vortices Intact, the; 
vortices have been exploded, and the Newtonian piinciplf of gravitation is novv more firmly establish- 
ed, on the basis of reason, than it would be, were the gov( rrini. nt to step in, and make it an arti- 
cle of necessary faith. Reason and experiment hav^ 1 . in inilulged an! erroi- has fled before tliem. 
/<u- ERROR ALONE which needs the support cfgovermn^^it. TRU 1 H CAN STAND BY ITSELF- 
Subject opinion to coercion, whom will you make your iiuiUisitors .', Fallible men . men ,voverned hy 
•^ad passions, bj private as well as public rfraseips-," J^ot(-s on VirginiOf 



14 

vhis precious birthright only b}- u degradiiif^ certificate, if he wished to es» 
cape the dcnands of a rapacious clergy. — The Constitution of our sister 
Massachusetts, in its recent establishment, is a living testimony before our 
t'yes.ofthe prevalence of clerical interest. — The tyrannical feature, drawn 
upon that constitution, and ratified by the people, that evert/ town shall be 
compelled to support a teacher of pietij and morality, is even at this enlight- 
tined day. a svirning; proof, that bigotry and a blindness of the people to 
their own distinct interest, have disgraced them as freemen, and opened 
their doors to intolerance and oppression. 

Of this fact, thr/t the int r st of the predominant clergy is considered by 
themselves as at issue with the int-rest of the people, there cannot be a 
stronger evidence, than the resn irk of a celebrated clergyman and histo- 
rian of their own order. The Rev. Dr. Jcdidiah Morse, in his American 
Geography of 1 789, observed, — (page 219 — speaking of the clergy of 
Connecticut) " The clergy, who are numerous, and. as a body, very 
respectable, have liitherto preserved a kind of aristocratical balance in the 
very democratical government of the state ; wiijch has happily operatt'd 
as a check upon the overbearin'Z spirit of republicanism." What the Rev. 
Doctor called, in those unguarded days, '''the overbturing spirit of re- 
publicanism,'^'' the people of Connecticut have since happily discover- 
ed, to be only another najne for rational liberty. Dr. Morse is not 
the only clergyman of his order, who has viewed the plant of '' re- 
publicanism'''' as a noxious weed in the field of civil society, and has 
endeavoured to " chetk''^ the growth of what he was not able to des- 
troy. 

Your memorialists humbly conceive, that the vigorous, unremitting 
and but too successful exertions, which, within a few years, have been 
made in this state, to obtain acts of Incorporation for certain great Edu- 
cation Societies, for the special and exclusive benefit of the clerical pro- 
fession, with powerful incomes of 5000 to 12,000 dollars per annum, — 
are not wholly to be forgotteri in their bearings upon this important snb- 
je(j^ : — that they furnish no feeble proof of a spirit in this slate to enlarge 
atad establish the interest of the aspiring portion of the clergy, above the in- 
icrtst of the people: — and the late dangerous and unconstitulional med« 
dling of the New York State Tiact Society with the civil airairs of 
this State, by way of tlie acting Superintendent of common schools, 
present to your memorialists abundant evidence, that this spirit has not 
fiubsided. 

There is one more feature in the singular communications of August 1, 
which we cannot pass unnoticed, and which properly considered, will, 
we humbly trust, leave the ground of our al irm, beyond the shadow of a 
doubt. The acting Superintendent of common schools has, it would 
seem, so completely surrendered his office to the Tract Society, that he 
not only sanctions their speculating project of raising money, by sclhng 
tickets of admission to spectators at these celebrations, to remunerate 
that Society and their friends for their pernicious trifles ; — biit he zealous- 
ly regrets, "that some public fund has not hcen designated by law" for 
Hie general purpose of purchasing honors, premiums and rc7vard& — 



evidently meaning the tmcls, as his own language will shew ; — and then^ 
not content with present violations of the constitution, — goes on to an'^ 
ticipate, that the legislature will at some future day, join him in the un- 
hallowed work of another infringement, — This is no less, than to grasp a 
portion of the perpetual school fund, the use of which, the Constitution^ 
declares, "shall be inviolably appropriated and applied to the support 
of" our '' common schools ;" and, if we are to judge from the Society'* 
advertisement upon the cover of the tract — from the plain course of the' 
Superintendent's advice, and the most rational and evident construction 
ef both his circulars, — to pour it into the coffers of the Tract So- 
ciety, under pretence of its being necessary " to the support of commoa 
schools. 

The jealousy of your memorialists, as to the tendency of these circu- 
lars and instruct ions, is surely not unfounded. Though they would con- 
sider it as a libel upon their fellow citizens, to suppose, that they would 
knowingly and quietly surrender the constitutional barriers which defend 
them against religious oppression, and the ambition of the clergy ; yet 
they are well aware, that the human mind, so naturally fond of ease, will 
often drowse upon the brink of danger, — that rights, which have been 
long undisturbed and little discussed, are sometimes forgotten : — and could 
ihey suppose it possible, that the present scheme of the clergy and Su- 
perintendent would take and prevail, — that the still march of intrigue, 
covered by the smooth, plausible and imposing pretences of morality and 
virtue, should steal upon the inhabitants " like an armed man," — that this 
Reverend Sinon, with his Trojan horse of tract premiums and clerical pa- 
rades sh6uld be admitted into their schools without scrutiny or suspi- 
tion ; — your memorialists could not forbear the rational prediction, that 
the children thus taught — thus modelled and flattered and trained from 
step to step to suit the particular views of the clergy, would be fully pre- 
pared, when they should arrive upon the stage of action, to raise that cler- 
gy to power, by the establishment of their religion. This improved gen- 
eration would then be the people ; — they would no longer hesitate to erase 
those precious articles — the guards of religious freedom from the consti- 
tutions ; — to tear the most brilliant gems from our state and national dia- 
dems, and leave them, with nothing worth contending for, in the cabinet 
or the field. 

Upon a subject, so momentous and complicated in its character 
and bearings, and sa deeply involving our feelings and interests, your 
memorialists humbly beg leave to conclude, that the said acting Su« 
perintendent has either ignorantly or knowingly violated the Con- 
stitution of this State, and thereby disturbed the peace and safety of her 
citizens. 

In the painful view of these considerations, it becomes at once our 
privilege and duty to respectfully entreat, that your honorable body will 
bestow upon this important subject, all that vigilant and profound atten- 
tion, which we are persuaded it so justly merits; — that you will amend 
the " Act for the support of Common Schools," with such provisions as 
,jour wisdom may suggest hr the better security of our rights against fu- 



16 

ture misconstructions of the law ; — and finally, — while we disclaim ail 
personal antipathies, and «ll motives, but Itxise of tiie mo<\. pure and pa- 
triotic jtjalonsy for our common rights, Hnd of solicitude for our beloved 
posterity, that they may long preserve tiiose inestiirtable legacies of Free- 
dom, our otate and national Charters, inaccessible to the stratagem*, a^id 
unsullied and unbroken by the foul and rapacious hands of bigotry and 
ambition, — your memorialists earnestly and nu'nbly request, that your 
honorable body will be pleased to remove the sa-d Jonn V. N. Yates from 
the office of secretary of State and acting Superintendent of Common 
Schools, and to substitute in his room, a man, whose wisdom is adequate 
to the duties of that important statio.i, — whose intelligence involves a 
clear knowledge of the rights of the people, and whose love of " rational 
liberty" may teach him to respect them. And your memorialists, as ti» 
duty bound, will ever pray. 

Acceptetl in public meeting of the Inhabitants of Lebanon. beUl at the baptist 
meeting house in srd town, D- c inber 20, 18 :4.— and subset ibt^i (as h< re with shown) 
fey 20U Constitutioual JJiieclors of said town —lie pectfully submith;(i. 

SILAS SFYVIOFR, ^ 

JOilN SHKLOitN. I 

ClTiiTIS HOPFiN. j^Comiflittee. 

Fs:a\X'IS WMDVIOHE, | 

JOHN L. C. CAZIEK, J 



(A.) 

[Articles printed upon the cover of the " Pensioner" tract.] 

DRK, ) 
ncE. i 



STATE OF NEW.YORK, 

SecrktahV's Offi 

Albany, July 30. 1824 
Gentlemen.— Since the date of my circulars addressed to you in June* last, advising 
the introduction of Tracts into all our cuimnon Scitools, lite Executive Cominitt-e of the 
NkwYorkState I'r ct Society stave very po te y liirmsh' .i ne with a .ipecimen, en- 
titled "The Pensioner, and His Daughter J \ne' Of this interesting tale the Society 
has printed, at its own expense, an edition .»; 7400 copies, as a donation to (he Schools ; 
one copj of w.ii(di they send to each school : ami tro.n waicii yon will he €n.ibled, in 
some degree, to judge of the chdiAct<T ^ni general trnd-U' y of their future publica- 
tions. — 1 feel a strong solicitude for the success of their h-iu-voleut desi|u ; and I firmly 

* They were put into the boxes containing tb- la vs of th^ la-.t jies^ion, one for the School Commis^ 
•loners of each town ; some ©fthe boxes atill remain in the Secretary's olbce, not hari'ig been yetpcri- 



17' 



believe that if tracts could be distfibtited as premiums for scholarship, ei;pecialif when 
rnniiected with stated celebraticfns od tbe plan adopted in the towo ot Ssllem, iu Wa«ib- 
ington county, hj that enlightened philanthropi^it, Dr. Proiidfit, the benefits resn^ting 
to our country would be incalculably great. When we considif-r too, that tbe expense 
of achieving an object so important, is comparatively trifling, I am persuaded ot your 
cordial co-operation In the proposed measure^ — To give it more full effect, I u)teud, in a 
few days, to issue instructions to the Commissiontrs and Inspectors of common schools 
throHjtbout the state, requiring them to institute celetirations otthat description, at sta- 
ted periods, in their several towns, in order to operate as incentives to study and the 
formation of correct moral habits. The hopes otour republic must befonnded on the 
rising generation ; but should their minds prove destitute of moral cuitivatiou, these 
hopes, however fondly cherished, must be disappointed. 

1 am, Gentlemen, 

RespeetruHy, you^ob^•d't serv't. 
J. V. N. YATES, 
Acting Superintendent of Common Schools^ 
To CommissioBers, Inspectors, and Trustees of > 
Common Schools throushout the State. \ 



PLAJVf OF A REGISTER OF MERIT, 

As used in the Albany Lancaster School. 
FIRST CLASS. 



Names of 


scholars 
abetical 


1 




Sta 


n ins ! 


■ *h^- el..- 






Remark:). 




in aiph 
order. 


I M 


T 


I 


w 


1 T 


1 t' 


1 « 




A 


B 


1 6 


4 


1 5 


3 


6 


4 




C 


D 


2 


II 1 






1 

1 


4 


I ' 


2 


. 


E 


^ 


I 1 


11 1 




III 3 


I 1 


2 




G 


H 


3 


6 






4 


1 
4 


! 

1 







N. B. The straight marks in the square are fines. 

The above is designed for one week. Suppose the class to consist of 12 spholars ; and the rule of 
the school be to reward, weekly, one quarter of the number. Then the three beSt on the list are to 
be rewarcler! ; and these will be tbe three who have the least amount of figures against them, aftep 
adding the fines. Thus : 

- Add fines - 2=36. 
«' " . 3=15. , . 

. «« •» . 10=21. 

- " " - 2=^29. 
A Tract of 16 pages. 

" 12 " 

8 «' 

The reason of adding the fines ta the sum of the figures, is, that the greater the amount, the low* 
er is the e:rade ef merit. The fines may be graduated, by one or more marks, according to the de- 
gree of Hjisconduet. 

If not convenient to give the reward one week, for want of tracts of the requisite number of pages, 
it can be given the next week in which another premium shall be merited ; and any overplus of cre- 
dits can be noted in tbe column of remarks, as a balance due There may be cases in which it will 
be advisable to wait several weeks, in order to adapt the book to the age and character of the schol- 
ar. The society will probably endeavor to furnish as great a variety, in their series of reward books, 
as practicable ; will probably prepare many in' the small pocket size ; and calculate them for first, se- 
cond, third and fourth preiniums, and for several classes. 





A B 34. 




C D 12. 




E F 11. 




G H 27. 


C D 


1st Premium 


E F 


2d " 


G K 


3d 



COMMON SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS. 

The practice of annual celebrations in seminaries of learning, is well known to be almost universal 
jn the higher institutions ; and their importance and influence may be estimated by the fact, that ia 
the highest -universities and colleges — they are held in the most consideration and receive the most 
attention. Eut it would be superfluous to enlarge on this subject, or to enter into a detail of »h« par- 



IS 

ticular benefit3 resnUing^ from these celebrations ; every man tf reflection instantly perceives ttieiis ; 
sind every thing in his own bosom involunhirily rises up to sanction t/iem. Wejeel that tiwy addrese 
fhpineelves to, perhaps, the most powerful principle of our aaturn— Me desire of eminence 

Why should they not be universally a-lopted in th« primary school? ? Why have they not been * 
Are not these schools of sufficient importance ? Forbid the lhoug;ht, every consideration of reason, 
every emotion of beoevoIeBce. If the alternative were imposed upon m --PERISH THE COLLE- 
GES; let the commoD schools live. There are perhaps some difficulties in the adoption of these cel- 
«bration8 in the common sehools ; but there are difficulties in every thin<; that is of any value. Hap-' 
pily, in this caw, they are easily removed. i,4 little spirit and a little resohdion ejects it. The pi oof 
is at hand ; and it is conclusive. IT H\S ALREADY BEEN DONE. An instance of it has occuf 
red. of which we have (jreat pleasure in giving; the foUowinsf account : 

COMMON SCHOOL CELEBKATION IN THE TOWN OF SALEM. 

In the town of Salem, in Washington county, there are twenty-one common schools. In February 
last, on the recommendation of the Rev. Doctor Alexander Proulfit, all theso schools assembled in 
the village of Salem each school, headed by its teacher, proceeded to the churcii, and took their 
places in order, according to previous arrangement. The commissioners, trustees and irispectors, 
were also present. The assembly was nuin»-rou» beyond ait expectation. From one school, six miles 
distant from the village, nearly seventy scholars attended. The spectators w«re also numerous. An 
address was delivered by Doct. PrOudfit, accompanied by appropriate exercises. After which, pi^- 
sents of little books were distributed. The whole day was a day of universal and animated satisfac-- 
tion : and the benefits of it en the schools will doubtless be great, and lonj; felt. The thought was a 
happy one. But it was one which might have been expected from the man who conceived it and car- 
ried it into effeet. The liberal heart is continually devisin^l liberal tbintfs 

N. B. It mifrhf prevent the intrusion of the idle, the noisy, and the vicioua, to admit no person witk- 
fjut an admission ticket at 6<f for a sinsrle person, and Is. fsr a family ; which, with any donations 
of a larger amount, should be exclusively appropriate*! to the procurement or" Reward Books. 

The Society expects to provide a series of Reward Books, from the value of a ctiit (like the h'en- 
sioner) for we.eklj rewards, to about twelve and a half cents, (or 50 cents store price,) for quarterly 
■jnd anunal rewards. 



(B.) 



(,cmc\]LaR.^ 



STATE OF NEW YORK,> 
Secketary's Offii'e. i 

Mbany, August 1, 1824, 

The accflinpaiiyia": instructiaas for establisliing Commmi School Celebrations i« 
th^ several towns in this state, are transmitted agreeably to an iatiiiiatioo CKntaioed io 
a tbrmercirrulvir ; and 1 anticipate, more especially, from those who've official duties 
are connected *vith our school syKtera, a cordial cooperation in giving them fnlt cft'ect. 
Yon will perceive that the object m «'ieiv is extremely important ; lor it addresses as 
xvell to the affections of the parent, as the feelings and interests of the citizen. I he 
happiness of society and the freedom of our country mainly depend upon llie generai 
diffusion of knotv ledge, and it is our duty to devise the best means for attaining and 
securmg that very desirable end. In a few years, the children that now sit upon our 
knees, or play aroud the room, will (ill our places, and become the future legislators, 
m<teistrates, and judges of our coimtry, while we are silently desceuditig to the tomb: 
How consoling then the reflr ctiou will be, th.il those objects of our affection are abojtt 
t» realize our fondest hopes, and to do honor to our memories ! FCven now, ivben we 
h«ar recounted the sage deliberation* of the statesman, or the gallant achievements of 
the warrior, or the brilliant an<l still more useful attainments of the scholar, or the 
saered and impressive eloquence of the divine, or the profound arguments of the law- 
yer, or the useful inventions ind experiments of the philosopher, farmBr and mechan- 
i<t, do not our bosoms burn with admiration, and do not the eye<< an-! hearts of each of 
Bs exclaim, " Would that he were my son !" If then these are the delightful emotions 
«scited in us from the mere anticipation of the grand effects which knowledge and vir- 
In."^ produfte, can we refuse yielding our be.st exertions to realize them in the persons 
of our children ? The means, under Providence, are fully vrithin our power, and pain- 
fnl will be our reflections if we neglect them. 1 know, however, tull well, that in ad- 
dressing you, I am not speaking in vain. You, who are specially appointed by our 
taws to superintend, mauage, and direcl the edticalioii ot our youth, can never be in- 



IB 

different fo thf great inieresti committed to your charge, nor nvglertthe taered diitkp 
iittposed upon you. 

The plaos suggested for the improvement of our common schools by iustituting cele- 
brations. proraixPK, I am convinced, tar more beneficial and important consequencee 
than any other hitherto devii«ed ; and J hope and trust you will sincf-rtly, -irdently. and 
eff otually promote it. Yon need not doubt its utility or surct'SR, for both have beea 
fuiiy demonstrated in our own state. The fol'owing account will be rea ': by you w'ltb 
alt the interest ii ought to excite ; and you will pnxeive that it fully proves that th* 
experiment alluded to, if fai bfnily tried, cr-nnot iail to *iice»:rd. 

•' In the town of Salem, in the county of Washington, there are twenty one consnon achobU. Oa 
the recommendation otDr. Alexander Pronf!fit, ail these scho«l» assembled in the village of Salem in 
the month of February last. E^ch school, headed bj its teaeher. proceeded to the church, ami took 
their places in the order prescribed in the previous arrang:(ment8. The coramifsioners, inspectors, 
and tiustees of those schools, together witb the parents of the children, and a great concourse of 
spectators, were present, and the assf nihly was numerous beyond all expectation. From one school, 
SIX miles distant from the village, nearly S€Den<y scholars attended An at-idreM was delivered by 
Dr. Proudfit accompanied bv appropriate exercises ; after which presents of little bo«ks were dii* 
tributed, and the wholf day was a day of universal and animated satisfaction. The benefits of it on 
the richools in Salem will doubtless be great, and long felt, and too much praise cannot be g^iven to Dti^ 
Proudfit for taking the lead in this benevolent work." 

This example expresses a language wbicb cannot he ffiisunderstood — '* Go ye and do 
likewise." 

Thus you perceive that the experimeu* is neither doubtful nor difficult, and its ben- 
efits are certain, and thcr extent btyond calculation. Indeed, when weiee the fl our- 
ishiiig iondiiifpp of cur col^e^es and acadtmies and kriow that much is attributable to 
th«ir public auQiver^arie^i and comment ements why fthould we brtitate to believe that 
the same means, w!>f n used in support of ourccmtuon >>cbool<$, will produce the same 
end ? And why, permit me lo a»k, should not onr common K-hools be placed on a 
footif g as rf vp* ctable a« any other of our seminaritik of learning ? Are they not as 
useful ? &r is tiot tb'Mr iailiienee more gs'nerally felt &• ackoowl«d(;ed ? When we cousio 
der also the h'lsM chiracter which our common schools have mo deservedly naintained— 
wbMi we find other states aud countries imitating their example and quoting their kuc 
cess, shouhi w*-, not teel the strongest desire to render them itili more worthy of thi& 
di!itio< tion, and still more useful to ourselves and posterity ? 

In counect'on with common school ceUbratmns, is the tair and discreet distribntiou 
of honors, premiums and rewarrfs. for scholarship and behavior. It is to bt< regretted 
that some public fund has not been det^iguated by law for defraying the expense ef thii 
part of our svstem oi education, as it would certainly render it more complote, asad giv« 
it an iocpulse of almost incredible value. It is highly probable, however, that at no 
very distant d:iy, our legislature will be enabled, from the prsceeds ariiing from tho 
sale of neaily a million of acres of land belonging to our coraroen schools, to appro> 
pnale a fund for thi.s purpose . In the iuterim, something may yet be done. Small 
books or moral tracts may be cheaply purchased, eitliT with the monies produced by 
the sale of tickets of admission at celebr itioo.s, if deemed advisable, or by sul>scrip« 
tious or appropriations from liberal and public spirited men. The cost will be too tri* 
fling to allow us to despair that these means will be adequate to a very considerable 
extent. I have already had occasion to recommend tht- introduction of moral tracts 
into our schools, aud I can only repeat, that those publications, while they furnish 
food both for the head and the heart, may be obtained with great facility, and at one' 
third the usual prices of ordinary publications In many iustaaces, certijieates qfschol" 
arship may be given as rewards, or auxiliary incentives to study , but books or tracts of 
a moral t'. ndetuy, when they can be obtained, are certainly prefrrable. 

From all that has been said, who can contemplate, without thf most intense satis* 
faction, the grand results that will Qow from the full and vigorous adoption of these 
plaos ? Who can count the numerous blessings that will att«ad the exertions of every 
one of you in this benevolent cause — the cause of God and man, and one which Prov** 
ideijce will surely consecrate and prospir ? 

It is dfSJrabie to receive your answer, acknowledging the receipt of this circular and 
the accompanying instructions, willin thirty days ; and should any suggestioufi occur fo 
yoH, communicate them treely. We can have but one common object in view ; and 



l«m p'Ti'adp*!, th^r^fore, of you- foncurreoce and support ia eTct•J^neces'.ary and 
jutlirioiii •trraugemeut " lor the encouragemeDt of leariiiug aud tbe promotiou of 
rirtup," 

I am, Gentlemen, 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedifnt servant, 

J. V. N. YATES, 
Acting Superintendent of Cojamsn Schools^ 

'J^o the Commissioners, TifpfCton:, Trustees and T ac hers i 
of Common Schonh, and to the Town Clerks and District > 
Clerks throughout the State, V 



(C.) 



INSTRUCTIOIVS FOR ESTABUSHING COMMON SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS, 

I. In each town rontaining a clitirch or public place of dirine worship, there shall be, 
in erery vear, one or iiiwc Conmon School Celebrations ; to which the teachers and 
scholar<> of the several shfjolsofsuch town, the parents and guardians of those scholars, 
the officers of such schools, and the other inhabitants of the town, shall be invited to 
attend. Where tbe (own is too large or extensive to admit their attendance at any one 
tina** and piace. arrangements may be made, if thought necessary, for limiting the num- 
ber of schools to b«» invited, an 1 for directing another celebration to he held tor the rest 
of thf .chools. which may have been exchided from the first. Tickets of admission for 
sppctitors, if deemed advisable, may be issued, an1 the proceeds arising from tde sales 
thereof 'niy be anplied to the purchase of premiums for tlie scholars, 

II. rU' eeleb-ations in each town shall be placed nnder the direction of the com- 
iBi<>s<oners ani inspectors of com non schools therein ; and they shall establish such 
rHsnlations as they t^iink proper, for appointing the d^y, place, and manner of holding 
the sam>< ; for distributing honors and premiums , for establishing rrligious and other 
ex'-rcvies, and generally ti>r attaming the great ends io view, viz. emulation among the 
scholars, and the eaeonragera 'ul of learning aud virtue. 

HI- Tne commissioners of common school*, when they meet in each town for distri- 
buting the public monies to school districts, or for the performance of any other offi- 
cial duty, shall, with the assistance of the inspectors, whom they will invite for the 
puipose, declare in writing the time of holding their next ensuing common school cel- 
ebration, and shall prescribe all the necessary arrangements , and they shall also give 
or cau^e to be givin, due notice thereof to the trustees, or district clerk of each school 
district within their towns, and they shall inform their ttacher, who is required lo 
coniiitunicate the same to the scholars under his charge, so that their parents and guar- 
dians and otht-rs may receive timely notice. 

IV. The town clerk« shall record the appointments and orders of the commissioners 
and inspectors, and shall assist in giving publicity and eHect tlipreto. Tiiey. aiid the 
disirict clerks, are also required to fde and record these instructions, with the accom- 
paiiving circular, in their offices respectively. 

V Teach rs ot co nmon schools sfta/Z keep suitable rolls of the names of their schol- 
ars, and ahaU daily note, with strict impartiality and justice, the absence or tardiness 
of pa«'h scholar, the progr<^ss made by each scholar in his studies, and the s' "^Tiil 
course of his b> havior ; «o that on the arrival of tho next common s* ttodi ceiebration, 
the names of the most desf^rving may be cnnnuunicatfd to the commissioners atid iu- 
sp« ctor<, for the purpose of distinguishing, by suitable liouors and rewards, their pro- 
ficie-icy in scholarship and behavior. 

VI. When two towns, or parts of two or more town*, can conveniently unite ia the 
6am<- celebration, the commissioners and inspectors of such towns may have yomer to 
dinctW.; and where a district lies in two or more towns, tbe trustors thereof nza^ 
choose the town or towns in tvhich they will attend the common school celebration. 

VII. WitliiD tweoty days after each celebration, a faithful account of its proceedings 



21 

>Yi!l be tr'itiSi.niJtef! to the a^tirg siiperintemJent of c-ommeii schools. 'Ihe town clerks. 

are specially ckarged ivjiti tiie ptriosmduce ol" this duty. 

J. V. N. YATES, 

Acting Superintendent of Common Schools. 

. Albany, August \, 1824. 

( J^^ofe ..It will be particvlarly observed, as the actine superintendent is anxious to prevent AP= 
PEALS or cornplaintri comins: before him with respfct to the perfornjance of these instructions, that 
he expects aprompt and faithful compliance with them, and hopes to hear of no complaints to the con- 
trary. It will also be proper to note, that the officers of Lancaster schools, or free schools under acts 
of incorporation, in the cities of New-York, Albany. Hudson, Troy and Schenectady, and in Pouojhi 
keepsie. will adopt thtir own regulations for instituting celebiatioris. and may, if they think proper 
join wtth any other schools ther'^in. or may have tht m separately by themselves ; hut it is hoped andj,., 
believed, ttjat the Lancaster or free schools will not fail to pursue one or other course. 



PRESENTED IN SENATE, FEBRUARY, 10,1825. 

To t\ie HowovabAe U^e Seuate avxd iisseviftV)\y of t\ie 
Slate o? ^*ew-\ork. 

This appendix of the undersigned committee of the inhabitants of Leb«^ 
anon, to their memorial of December 20, 1824, 

Further Respectfully Represents, 

That the said memorial had received more than 150 signatures, when 
a new puliiic communication issued by the New- York State Tract Soci- 
•^ ety, and signed by six of their distinguished officers, made its appearance 
in liie Albany Gazette of Dec. 31, 1824. This communication (marked 
D) which IS herewith respectfully presented, developes so fully the in- 
tentions of the Tract Society with respect to o:ir common schools, and 
the exact identity of the'r plans with those of the acting Superintendent j 
— together with a view of the character and principles of that Society, 
so unexpected, so disguised, and still so strikingly discernible, that 
while your memorialists regret the necessity of enlargement, they would 
humbly ask the privilege of a few additional suggestions. 

We would also bg leave to submit t'l your perusal a fopv (marked E) of alf tter a.d' 
i]vc»'ied to the acting Superiiitpiident by the School Coiiisiissioiif-rs &c. of Lebanon, 
ahoiit the 10th Jaimary inst.— aiid abo lo state, that siihelaatially. the original ot said 
letter had heep previoiislT transmitted (about ihe 21st D«ceaiber last) to the acting 8u- 
pprintcsideiit, signed by Messrs. E. Gray Commissiotu'r, and S, Coliister [nspector of 
Commou Schools ; which original If iter was ittiiisiiul (o the said guitlemen, with the 
Answer of Mr. Yatfs, (of DecMidx r i'.6U: 1824.) of which a c( py (maiked F) is sub- 
insttei! ;r— that the said lett« r was copied, sigufd " in a WAnuvv fulitj oj/icial," and again 
transmitted as above to the actine, Siiperintendent, and that the tofiseqiience of this " of- 
ficial letter" was the official answer of ihe said actin^ Supei intend* ut, (uf January 17tli 
inst.) of which a copy (n^aiked G) is also respecirnlly s'ubiiiifted— in which it appears, 
that we wen correct in onr view of the intfntion of the Snpennteijdent, lo hare *^ his 
Mscretionarg Instructions^' received as Lc3i' and ri.n^idered asjjenai. 

Your memorialists are fully sensible, thnt this »s not the first time, that 
the same eventual object, pursued by various plans, has been sought, and 



^met.mes with partial sticress, even in this land of Hberty and lleht— 
)ther state? h^veexpcnenced the rise and fJI of clerical tyranny : J 
oatsoh.fih handed an attempt to infringe the rij^hts ftf the people, and 
govern them without their consent, under the combined cover of laro and 
C L^'?"' f o"''''''' '"''' ^>.^''eve, been made before in this state. The Tract 

i 
i 

• , . , , :', ^ -'^ -w .. n.wi,u. i lit: circulars oi ine Sijpt I III- 

(endent, together with the specimen tract and its cover, gave us presume 
tive and alarming evidence of the correctness of our suspicion?:— That 
c^timony xva« hc.-hten«H} by a quotation made, in the pnhhc prints, from 
the Boston Reorder, (a paper devoted (o their cause)^v,z. that they 
had • sent (he documents exhibitino; their success to 1 7 d.fferent tract so- 
cict.es in tne Union— to England, and to 31 tract societies on the conti- 
nent of Luropc "-But it remained for the Tract Society themselves to 
^nraish us all the evidence wc could ask, direct and complete. In this 
public communication, they do not hesitate to avow their unqualified in- 
tention to push their Tracts into " the hands of every child that can read 
-'nthe statc'^Thi^y do not blush to nrknowled-e, that ^^ 7o,th thh vvi, 
l.icy first addressed themselves to the commiss-ouers and tiustees of our 
7400 common schools, urging the introduction of their Tracts into the 
schools as rewards.''— While thev claim the honor of talcm- the lead, :hey 
do not scruple to boast of the '• v/r.n^" support of the Sr^crctary of State 
aiidpaiticularly of his '' officml/jj duyctlng ihe school and town officers to 
institute annua! celebrations " iud that their mentorous services may not 
be forgotten, they add, " a. Me Socitl;^ had snsg^sl d on the covers of the 
specimen Tract they sent out. '^—kuii they are iu> less readv to inform n. 
that human prudence" has attained the very summit of all improve- 
mcnt, in their plan to establish at the head ofouVs€h-,»ol svstem, a new cc 
clesiastical censorship of Mr^fi ;>acs/*, whose infallibility no one is sunno- 
sed to doubt, and who, in short, are made the Judges of the proprie- 
ty or fitness of all that mass of sermons, religious novels, warniiiiis and 
exhortations, with which, in the form of tracts, our common schools are to 
be abundantly supplied. 

Your memorialists desire to be distinctly understood, that in our 
strictures upon the Tract Society, we do not commence an attack. We 
stand upon our own -round-the ground of our civil and reii-sous ri-hts, 
lyluc.U/iey are inviuhng, and it cannot be thou-ht stran-e, that while 
ti)cy $o boldly advance, we should presume to survey their character and 
])ieteii£ions. 

We may first observe in jiciJeral, that the ambitious and manaHug de- 
signs o( the Tract Society, are in thi? state unequalled but by thc^assum- 
>:ig(not (osny arrogant) language in which these designs are sometimes 
conveyed. 

J fify-^pc:ik of ''kc<p:ng up the 5/??n7 of circulating tracts." and of their 
Cow.tj Branrhrs as ''so many entires of wftwncr which will efficiently arJ 
«p«3n (ho auxihanes/' tcc.with as much assurance as if the object of tueir 



wishes Was already consummated, and their power established by the corf- 
.stilution-amd laws of the state. 

They freely tell us, or rather their knowing "friends,'^'' that their" de- 
sign''' embraces '* two objects.''^ 

'• 1st Providing FUNDS for the publication of religious tracts." This 
too is under the collateral view, that our school system is to be made a 
part of their machinery, and that io provide funds fcr them, one of the 
most valuable of our civil institutions is to be degraded by the introduc- 
tion of show celebrations. 

''2d Furnishing channels for their circulation." No small share 
of this object is to be effected by the Secretary of State " Hrongly sec- 
onding''^ their measures ;" — ift short, by an abuse of official influence, 
and an usurpation of power, unparalleled in the annals of our govern- 
ment. 

We should pass by their " efforts to raise up tracts from the" just " de^ 
gradation into which the} have sunk." were it not to notice their puerile 
means of effecting this, by trimming the edges and adding pictures, to 
catch the children : and to take the old ones by the fine rodomontade, 
that " /Af whoh circle of literature may be boldly challenged to produce; 
thsir equal.'''' 

" For the spirit of the society," they refer us to its pnblieations and 
to a variety of other documents. — To discoyer this spirit in its vari- 
ous ramifications, and in all its btarings, it is sufficient for us, to ex- 
amine the publication before us, together with the cover of their yped" 
men tract. 

We shall not pretend to dispute their candid and '"''feeling^'' acknowl* 
edgement upon the cover of the tract, that " the most pGwejful principle 
if'' their " nature'''' is " The desire of eminence." 

But their spirit is more fully developed in the follov^ing extract from 
their last communication. — " It is believed, that the time is come, whtn a 
broad line o( distinction shoidd be drawn between those who seek jus- 
tification as it were by the works of the hw, and those who receive 
the sacrifiie of Christ as the only foundation of hope, and without the 
reception of which there is nothing to be looked for but the fiery indigna- 
tion of Jehovah." 

Why this fulminating language in this place ? — Such a denunciation 
from the pulpit might not Lave surprized us ; — bnt to see it in a public 
circular, in which the Tract Society are " urging'''' the people to make 
their w»rks an engine of state, is astonishing, and can mean no less than 
to frighten to the support of their plans, those, whom they cannot invite. — 
What do they mean by their " broad line oj distinction ?" Do they mean 
a mere distinction of religious opinion or a civil distinction 1 — We presume 
to answer — that if one half of their collossal pretensions to literature 
can be admitted, they must have known, that in the mere difference of 
opinion and church fllowship, the broad hue of distinction between Armj- 
niaris and Calvmists. has, in this country as in others, long been drawn and 
toAl understood — has been fully discussed and often decided, in synods and 
in courts-— ia churches and in families. They cannot escape the alterna^ 



24 

tive then, that they mean a civil distinction, insinuating itself gradual-- 
ly into all the dearest relations of community — advancing with an artful 
succession of covered, unfolding and audacious marches upon all those 
rights and privileges for which Our fathers toiled — bled — and devotedi 
their anxious and sleepless nights to prepare and bequeath to us andj 
future generations our free and happy Constitutions. A perfect model of] 
this "ArcflJ //ne" was drawn with a v/itness more than 200 years ago, 
when the thunders of the famous svnod of Dort were levelled upon the 
heads of the Arminians for heresy* — when " they were excommunica- 
ted ; they were driven from all their offices, civil and ecclesiastical; 
their ministers were prohibited from preaching, and their congregations! 
were suppressed. Refusing to submit to the two last of these hard de- 
crees, they were subjected to fines, imprisonments and various other pun- 
ishments." Even this country has not been an unconcerned spectator: 
of these broad lines ; — witness the imprisonment and dying groans of the 
proscribed Quakers; — and the civil privations, obloquy and sneers which 
by the mistaken spirit that seems to govern this Society, has for years, 
been alternately cast upon the Epii^copalians, Methodists, Universalists,! 
and a great proportion of the Baptists. — Give this i>^\x\i power, and whercj 
— with deep solicitude we would ask — where would it end ? If their lan-i 
guage is not useless and unmeaning, we truly perceive in this production, 
a spirit, with which these enthusiastic professors of benevolence would: 
\vield, what thev call, " the fiery indignation of Jehovah" upon all those 
who might differ with them in religious opinions. — It is the spirit witK 
which Pagans and Jews have persecuted Christians, and nominal Chris-i 
tians have persecuted Pagans and Jews — with which Catholics have kin-l 
died the faggol for Protestants, and Protestants for Catholics — Episcopa-j 
lians for Presbyterians, and Presbyterians for Baptists and Quakers. — ^'t 
is the same f;o?r('< which led the celebrated Calvin to climb the chair of 
state, and sway the sceptre of civil dominion for years in support of his 
religion — the same spirit which led him to disregard the sacred laws of 
hospitality, — to seize an unsu^pectinti fugitive from Papal violence, and 
consign the harmless Servetus to the flames t with worse than savage cru- 
elty. It IS the same sp/r/^ which induced that refined Stoic who has been 
miscalled " tiie gentle .¥. lancthoii'^ to approve that barbarous measure :|j 
— and if the emphatic epithets of " weak and wicked priests,^^ used by 
the wise and learned fathers of this state, do not apply to those clergy- 
men, they, at least " knew not what manner of spinC^ they were of. 
It is the same spirit which, within a few months, has induced that worse 
Ihan Napoleon, the despot of Russia, to strip his unhappy Jewish sub- 
jects of every thin^ but life — and which more lately has led the infatua- 
ted clergy of Spain, through their weak and bigoted monarch, to decree 
to indisciiminate slaughter, the honorable and inoffensive fraternity of; 
freemasons, who are adjudged without evidence or trial, to be "enemies 
to the Altar and the Throne.'''^ We would here respectfully ask — Is it 



* Edinburgh Encyclopedia. Vol. 2, p. 430. 

f Mo^-heims Eccles. Hict. Century 18. Sec. 3, part 2- Also Edinburgh Encyclopaedia Vol. 5. p. 18?. 

£ Edinburgh Encyclopedia Vol. 5, p. 134. 



this unchastened " desire ef tminence^^ and powei*— Is this the spirit mth 
which petition after petition for certain Education Societies have been 
pushed into the halls of the State Capitol ? If so — permit us humbi)' to 
enquire— ^Can the Legislature of this State do its citizens a greater ser- 
vice than to disencumber at once its statute book from those ill gottea 
charters — and to leave those bodies to maintain their iden(it) and their 
permanence by that charitable conjidence and brctherli^ love which they 
profess, and which alone, we are bold to say, constitutes an ample and 
sufficient bond of union (or exerv real christian institution. ? To return 
from this digression, we may add — when we compare this communication 
of the Tract Society with the enthusiastic expressions of the Superinten- 
dent—when we hear them proclaiming their religrous tenets, &:c. ^c. — 
when we hear him saying officially '* I feel a strong solicitude for the suc- 
cess of their benevolent design ;" and again, '' to give it''"' (that is, the 
plan of Dr. Proudfit and the tract society) " more full effect^ I intend in 
a few days, to issue Instructions to the Commissioners and Inspectors of 
common schools throughout the state, requiring them to institute Cele- 
brations of that description," &;c. we cannot entertaift even the faintest 
doubt of a combination (we had almost said conspiracy) between the 
Tract Society and the Secretary of State, to convert to their religious 
-faith Ihe whole rising generation within their reach, by controlling the 
civil institution of our Common Schools, and thus gradually t^ estabhsb 
the support and power of the clergy, who are of their belief and system, 
above all others in the state. 

We recur to another disguised^ though very |)ointed denunciation in 
their writings, to corroborate our views of their oppressive spirit. 

Notwithstanding the increasing numbers of charity students, by which 
the clergy are annually enlarging their literary strenj^th ; the various clas- 
ses of young men, destined for other professions, of superior talents, in- 
dependent judgments and elevated minds, which the public Universi- 
ties are continually adding to the ranks of Liberty, and returning to their 
homes to enliven the patriotic spirit of social circles and public assem° 
blies with the united charms of freedom and science, — are still too nume^ 
rous to allow the ambitious portion of the clergy to hold the field of refi- 
ned education and its consequent power, with undisputed claim. The 
Emperor of Austria intimated to his Colleges, that he had much rather 
have quiet subjects^ than learned men :— & from the collateral testimonies 
given of their ambition , and another proof yet to be adduced,* we have 
good reason to conclude, that the Tract Society were actuated by the 
ssLme spirit, when, with a shallow pretext, they gave us the hint upon the 
cover of the Tract, — " perish the colleges ; let the commojt schools 
LIVE." Indeed, if these gentlemen could have the absolute control of 
our common schools, and cur Colleges reduced to those Seminaries onlv, 
which are placed under the care of Education Societies, and devoted to 
the rearing of none but clergymen, " their fuccess^^ would then be 



Their atteck npm *he meBwry ef (fee Illaminafi. 

4 



■2^ 

complete, and the occasion be furnished for another exulting' communi- 
cation to the •' 31 tract socutiesof the Holy Jilliance.'''* 

It will surel}' not be exceeding our linnits to say, that we perceive in 
this Society, a demonstrable splnt of sprrulatinn. For we consider 
Tract Snci^tifS as capable of speruiation a« Bunk Societies, and if (he 
ca^h profits are not as extensive, the deficiency mn> be more than sup- 
plied by the danjierous accumulations of influencf and pow.r. Besides 
the immense distribution of " quarterly and amiual rezoards''' involved in 
their plan, the Society have shewn us upon the cover of '" the Pension- 
er," the distribution of tracts which they append to the Register of me- 
rit, as a model for imitation throuirhout the state — viz. 3 tracts, amoun- 
ti7i<r to 36 pages, to each class per week. Let any gentleman possessing 
snfijcient data, calculate the amount of this ratio of distribution through- 
out the state, adding in the probable amount of the larger books to be 
distributed as quarterly and annual rew irds, (which the Tract Society 
are likewise to furnish) and then judge, if the "■ donation.''^ with which 
their operations commenced, should not rather be called a bait — an insig«- 
nificant Aonws to procure the privilege of a most extensive system of spec- 
ulation, in which (considermi: the enlargement of plan, as the thing ad-: 
vauccs) the treasury of the Tract Society would, in the result which! 
thev anticipate, receive annually more money from the schools to snp- 
poit their ambitious schemes, than the whole amojnt of annual distribu- 
tion which those schools receive from the treasury of the state. No^ 
wonder, that the Superintendent and Tract Society should be anticipa- 
ting the privilege of commanding our school funds — no wonder, that 
these new shrine makers should, in the prospect of so extensive a trade, 
\y{i fit ere vt J ping \\^Q\v work?,. 

It is astonishin.ii with what familiarity (not to say impudence) these 
gentlemen enter our common schools, uninvited. *' The Society looks'^ 
say they, " with a paternal solicitude to the rising generation." As free 
men, sensible of the intrusion upon our domestic rights, we have only 
to answer — We th.mk them not for their ";?'/r ma/ solicitude.^'' It will 
be time enouiih. we think, for them to stand as god fathrs to our chil- 
dren, when we ask the favor. 

The Superintendent seems to think, that the dissemination of a false-- 
liood is of but little consequence, if il only has a " moral tnidency.'''' It 
would, as we humbly conceive, puzzie a casuist to discover precisely 
the " moral tendency,'''^ of the " Jane" tract. It seems (hat (his fancied 
^^ p. iisio7ier^'' had been -.i faithful soWiVr,— was ^n tndustrious man — ^^a 
^'' fiink and grnerous^'' man— a numof" worthy hospilalitf — and a " wor- 
thy man :" — but we are given to suspect, that he was not a moral man.—^ 
This result was to be a consequence of missionary labors. Far be it from 
us to cast the glance of ridicule upon a subject of true solemnity ; — but 
really, this- IS an attempt to smuggle their rf/j^jon into the schools, un< 
der the name of mom^(i/ ; and seriously, we consider it as immoral to 
mingle the sacred truths of Scripture with the inventions of novels, ahd 
to corrupt the public mind with an undue veneration for the clergy, as t» 



2-7 



corrupt it with any other principle which tends to the destruction of ra- 
tional fnedom, security and happiness. ^., ,. e •. j * 

Itmi'^ht have been rationally expected, that while the Supenntendent 
and Tract Society, in their anxiety to produce morni effects, neglected 
truth -AB an unnecessarv ingredient in their tracts, they viould have en. 
deavored at least to preserve cons,sUncy in their more direct correspond- 
ence with the pubhc. The Tract Society are, a? they tell us, publishing 
and circulating '' religwvs trad^:- and actually boasting of the powerful 
a'^^i^tance of the Secretary of State, &c. in the commencement of this 
very work. On the other hand, the Secretary, while virtually meriting 
th's mistaken applause, very sed.ilousiy avoids the expression '' rekgious 
trarU " as a most dangerous and exceptionable term, and at length, 
when driven to the point, flatly deni«ys that he ever recommended any 
tracts of that description. 

Without endeavoring to reconcile these contradictions between the 
Supenntendent and Tract Society, with respect to the general title of 
their tracts ; we will give them both the credit of what appears to us, a 
most harmonious attempt to deceive the public mind. 

1st. In the Tract Society. While they profess " genuine catholici^nn, 
opening their arms to evangelical christians of every denomination." it 
is evident from another part of their communication, that their principles 
are decidedly sectarian. 

A'^ain, tbey tell us—'* We trust the Society is above all party ffeeling ; 
and that'we honestly intend, and shall sedulously endeavor to keep ii as 
free from Sectarianism as the Bible (*." His holiness the sope would say 
all this, and so would every denomination of professing christians, each 
one considering the Bible as furnisning exclusive proof for its own tenets. 
While this wasto be well understood by the knowing ones, the whole was 
plainly intended to convince the public, that these gentlemen of the 
Ti net Society had discovered the secret of a religion which d»ttered from 
no body, and that their uncommon elevation ''above alP'> terrestrial 
'' party?^ was such as mis^ht safely allow them to occasionally "de- 
scend'^ "and manage the affairs of State, without danger, suspicion or 

inquiry. . , , •• •. 

Again— the Tract Society, as we conceive, show no less a disposition 
to crush the enlightened intellect and the spirit of freedom, than to mis- 
lead the public inind, when they rake up the ashes of the llluminati, and 
enfleavor to revive the exploded falsehoods of Barruel and Rcbisoti.— 
Shall we pause to observe, that when the heat which pervaded the civih- 
izcd world at the time of the French revolution had subsided, it was dis- 
covered, that the dominant clergy not only of France but of otliercoun- 
tries, had not forgotten to improve the golden opportunity of fal<eiy ; S- 
cribuis all the horrors of that revolution to the spread of infidelity and 
the op'probrious epithets of itifcdel and atheist were abundantly bestowed 
upon aU those champions of literature and freedom, who dared to stem 
the torrent of clerical pretensions, and to point their fellow citizens for 
political security and happmess to the straight and enlightened paths of 
rational liberty. That communicative light— that spirit of freedom haa 



n 

been found in the llhinjinati of Germany ;— a society, wliich rose and fell 
before the French revolution, and had no connection with it, but in "the 
beated imagination of the French pr'est ;" — a society, whose professed 
objects were, '* to introduce more enhghtened ideas of government, to 
disseminate a knowledge of the sciences, and to promote the interests of 
Tirtue," Its seat was Bavaria, It grew out of, and rose against the at- 
tempts of an ambitious clergy to put out the lights of science — to control 
the intellects of the people, '• by means of edicts levelled against the 
commerce of literature, and to oppose the antidote of ignorance to the 
contagion of knowledge."* Such a Society found its necessity and its 
end in the measures of a bigoted tyranny ; and its memory has been tra- 
duced by all those aspirants after clerical dominion, whose sighs have 
mingled across the broad Atlantic, for the deplorable state of our ivjidel 
government^ and the son« of Liberty in both hemispheres. We may add, 
that the Tract Society, so ea^er to dress out the effects of this phantom, 
(which are doubtless? as well founded as the details of their " Pensioner") 
have forgotten to infirm us of the improved state of society in Bavaria in 
1812 — more then 20 years after the extinction of the Illuminati — a stnte 
KtJ societi/, modelled and produced by the V6ry potter which suppressed that 
order ; — where the ecclesi-jstics, not content with engrossing *' an income 
€xceedine one third of the revenue of government, with a complete im- 
munity from all taxation," — are draining the fountains of public im- 
provement, " by persuading <h i h r farmers to send tl e'r sons into con- 
vents," that they, [the ecclesia^tits.] may receive 3 or 400 florins with each 
for their '"'• paternal solicitude ;" " while the children of the other farmers, ' 
by bemg likewise educated in convents, are rendered totally unfit for any 
serious profession, or regular industry :" — where, as history adds, the 
people "are influenced by no higher principle than a blind submission to 
priests, infamous and profligate as themselves : and whose basest crime? 
are expiated by a very trifling fine."! B.ivaria is not the only country 
which has felt the demoralizing effects of clerical ambition ; but the more 
than " human prud nee'''' of the Tract Society would not allow thenj 
to meddle with this subject. 

2dly. In the Superintendent. When, in his various communications, 
he used the words '* moral habits,^'' '' moral cultivation,''^ " moral tracts,'''' 
and " moral tendeticy,'''' he evidently meant to convey to those who might 
be jealous for their rights, unexceptionable impressions. This intention 
to appear guarded and prudent, is fully proved in his denial that he ever 
recommended '"'' religions or any sectarian tracts," (which, by the wav, 
is an implied acknowledgment, that he had no right to recommend them 
officially :) when he could not have been ignorant, that " the Pension- 
er" (which he ofllcially recommended to the schools) was a rtHgious 
tract ; — that the Society expressly called their works " religious tracts ;" 
that that Society ("for the success of" whose "design" he fell "a 
strong solicitude") was a Religious Society, and, like all other Religious 



* Edinb'irgh Eocjclopedia, volume XI. page 184. 

't Edinburgh EncyelopHdia, Tslorae III. pages 342 and 344, 



2» # 

.%c1oties. with sectarian principles ; — that his oftitial pen was giving; the* 
whole scheme in which they were jointly engaged, the highest rdig^ous- 
character^ by calhng it " the cause of God ^"^"^ — and finally, if his talents 
ever fitted him for a Secretary's office, he m.ist have known, that the 
word moral had, as he used it, a most ambiguous meaning — that, while 
by the impartial statesman it was applied merely to an honest upright 
conduct in our dealings with mankind, without any regard to religious 
faith or opinion ; the members of a religious society would sometimes 
make it inseparable from the tenftsoC their religion, and in this view the 
word " jyioral'itij'''' is evidently used by the Tract Sociey, when they say, 
that their tracts "will inculcate the essential ivuihs of the gospel, and 
ei\(ovce, {he only true morality, that which is the fruit oi religion,'''' — that 
is, the religious belief of the Tract Society. 

From a review of these facts it is plain, that the Secretary in using 
the word '•'• moral,'''' was endeavoring to present a dainty of equal relish 
to two opposite classes of readers : — in one sense, to those liberal mind^ 
who, though professors of religion t|jemselves, could nevertheless see a 
State without looking through a church ; and in another, to those bigoted, 
moon-eyed gentlemen, who could never perceive either one of thera ta 
perfection, but through the medium of the other. 

What would these founders of the Tract Society, so professedly impar- 
tial say, — were either an Arminian, an Unitarian, a Catholic, an Episco- 
palian, a Methodist, a Quaker, or an Universalist allowed by the govern- 
ment to dictate or control, directly or indirectly, the character of the 
the religious books to be distributed as premuma among the children of 
the State ? Their web of " genuine cathosi ism" would vani-h in a mo- 
ment ; — their Caivinistic preference would rise at once, and the cries of 
hf-resy, infidelity and intolerance would be heard to the remotest limits of 
this great rt public. And yet can they be ignorant, that all these sects 
and more — the Mahometan, the Jew — -nay, any — the most visionary and 
absurd projector of religious opinions upon the face of the globe, has an 
equal right with thetn to the privilege of official patronage, and the vir- 
tual power of leading and establishint; t!ie religious belief of the rising 
generation ? We pause to correct ourst:lves — and to deny with the full 
spirit and strength of the Constitution,, that either of those sects or the 
Tract Society or any other, has the least right to intermmgle its religion 
with the education of our children — and the Superintendent or any other 
school director who is either ignorant or regardless of the principle in- 
volved in this denial, is in our view, totally unfit for his important station. 

Let not the honest warmth of Freedom, or any severity of remark, 
1>8 construed into a malignant opposition to the clergy. We disclaim any 
such feelings. We meet and hold intercourse with them as gentlemen 
and as fellow-citizens. In religious matters, we lake the liberty to think 
of them, and to give preference or no preference — as we please : and 
we allow them the same privilege in return. We are willing that they 
should stand upon the same open field — the same broad level with our- 
selves. W^e cheerfully grant, that the privileges of private life should 
be equally, and even (when their conduct comports with their constitu^ 



tional pfa(ion) somewhat more liberally extended to them than ourselves* 
But, when we discover tliem approaching oiir ciJadel of power : — wlu-it 
we stf Ifjem endeavoring to influence or control (he acts of our piihlic 
cfficers : we call (hem back to look upon tl^e experience of past a; es — 
to (urn their eves to the inor.itory beacons of our Constitution, and be- 
ho'd them inst ribed. ' Procul. O procul, este profani " [Hence, O 
be far hence, from our cixtl institulions.'] 

There IS a remaimng point of ( oMiision in which the Secretary and 
Tract Society agree to a wonder. It is seen m <beir seveial attempts to 
convince the doubtmg ones by the force of example^ b\ repiesenlinii the' 
*' numerous" and flattering '* answers which he has received, approving 
the measures he has prescribed," i:c. itc. 

In relation to this it may be observed, that while the Superintendent, 
jn the Note to his Instruc tions. was braving tbe opposition of fieemcn, 
and endeavoring to si!«'ice (heir tomplaint?, by I be sit rn lan;^u;ii;c of 
military power; the concluduig paragia|)b of his attending Circular ve«^ 
ry j:olitely requests an answer wifhip thirty days, and we are there told, 
''should an} suggestions occur to jfoij. communicate tnefh freeh." — • 
That is, (if we understand him correctly) ' G'ntlnntn. f y'U have any 
f.ott<ry to b'stiw or any uH. il ginci to ccmrnvmcati:, favorobli ti- the 
pUins if the Tract Socittu, ot my recomnundations and dtcrtes, I ahi.iuld 
be happy to receivt ?/.' That from various impressions some indiscreet 
answers to his Circulrfr should have been thus piocnred. is not to be 
voiidered at ;- -but we are well aware, that tbe whole is the eiiect of 
managcmfht, and that even in those towns whence the answers may liave 
arisen, they are never or seldom to he considered as the full and delibe- 
rate expressions of public opinion. And however a misiakc:) zeal, a 
thoughtless fancy for innovation, a forgetfulness of (be letter and spirit 
of the Constitution, or what may be more effective, the artful and im- 
posing character of the documents themselves, may have indufed some 
of our school officers to accede to the dangerous ajtd forbiddc n measures 
of the Superintendent, yet we can not but humbly hope to find in your 
wisdom, an ample c orrec tive. 

We send no lobbv members to maintain our cause against the denun- 
ciations and sophistry of our opponents. Our only lobbies are tbe free, 
intelligent and patriotic bosoms of our legislators. To them we appeal, 
W!(h (he humble confidence, that the reference will not be in vam — ihat 
their penetration will lar exceed our scanty vews — that oui feeble efflr*rts 
to pieserve the fair inheritance of Freedom from the worst of violence, will 
find, in their deliberations and support, a cheering and abundant triumph, 
and that the result of (heir inquiries will bo such, as to command the honest 
plaudits of tbe present, and tbe grateful recollections of future generations. 
And again, your memorialists. <^c. 

SILAS SEYMOUR, ^ 

JOHN SHELDON, j 

CURTIS HOPPIN, )>Committee. 

FRANCIS WHITMORE, ] 

JOHN L. C. CAZILR, j 

LEBANON, JANUARY 31, 1825. 



•) 

NEW-YORK STATE TRACT SOCIETY. 

[for the ALBANY GAZETTE.] 

This sfwiety wa=i organized oii the 2.')th February, 1824. It U formpfl on the mode! 
of tho \meric.iii Br>!p^oc.ietv ; not onlv uj its ferierativo civ.ir3(U*^r, bat in i s Cflf/j' 
vlir spirit. It-; Hfsicrn U to combine tie tffi^rts of the Irj-mls of religion througbout the 
state, in two nlijp(?ts : 

l^t. Prov.Jinn; funds for tUr puhlicatwn of religions tracts : and 

2d Furnishing chann'Ms fir t!!«'i'' circulation. 

The plan oi the society for ac^'oaiplishing; both is, a parenfe institution in the city Oi 
Albany— liie cr ntr^ of commtinication with all pait^i of the state— branches in evei'y 
coiii.ty. s»nd anxi'Mfy societie'-. if possible, in every town and viliace 

The pamnt inKtitution is to print the tracts at the lowest practicable rate, by means of 
stercnlvp' plates ; to sell them to (he anxiiiary societies at the lowest price compatible 
with fiie permanent Mipport of the institntion, which will hemuch lower than they could 
be printed in small editions ; and to fnrnish them ^ra/wifOTi/?/ to coinmimities nnable 
to pnrchase. T!i' spirit of the society is that ot £,euuine Catholicism— opeHiiig its araSs 
to evangelical christians of every denomination. 

Thirty n«w societies have already attached themselves to the institution as auxiliaries; 
and the numb' r is steadily increasing. Its donation", life subscriptions, and annua? 
snbcriptions, including the snbscriptions to five anxiiiary societies in Albany, amount 
to npwardw of $1200 in the city of Albany, and S225 from other parts of the state.— 
About forty different tracts have been stereotyped. 

To keep np and increase the spirit of cirf^nlating tracts, the society issues a monthly 
publication called the JVewYork Tract Magazine ; containing 24 pages monthly price 
4 t" nee. 

With a view to the same end, the society is now urging the establishment of Vcunty 
Branches ; as an intermediate class of societies between the auxiliaries and the part.nt 
institution. It i^ thought they will be so many centres of influence, which will efficient- 
ly act upon the auxiliaries, by correitpondence, and personal intercourse. To them, 
auxiliaries and individuals may resort and obtain supplies of tracts at all times and itj 
all parts of the state. These county branches may holdaiinua! meetings, to which the 
auxiliaries may, if convenient, send delegates, and at any rate, may send reports of 
their proceedings for the year ; vvhich may be combined with the annual report of the 
county branches ; and these again may be transmitted to th«e parent institution, to he 
embodied in their annual report. But all will be left to manage their own concerns ac- 
cording t' their own judgment and discretion. 

To secure a proper selection of tracts, the society have in their constitution, pre- 
scribed a reguUtmn which tbey are not aware can be improved by human prudence. — ' 
Three ministers o\ the gospel are to be annually chosen by the directors as counsellors 
ivithout the approbation of two of whom no tract is to be published. These counsel, 
lors, for the present year, have been chosen from the Presbyterian, the Dutch Reform- 
ed, and the Baptist churches; which, witki the Lutheran church, are the only denom- 
inations that have hitbi rto united with the society. The character of the tracts design-?: 
ed to be published, will be seen in the following extracts from the address of the soci- 
ety on its first institution ^nd from one of their vubsf ([uent publicitions. " Great pains 
and oa«tion wilt be used m the choice of tracts. The cardinal points in all the t-ractt' 



e shall publish will be, the salvation of our fellow beings in the eternal world, atid 
Iheir happiness in the present. They will therefore inculeate the simple, essential, it iiths 
of the gospel; and enforce the only trne morality, that "liieh i<- ttie fruit of n iigion." 
*' It is believed that the time is corae when a broad lino of distinction should ht drawn 
between those who ser k j.i*;tification as it were by the works of the law, and thosf who 
receive the sacrifice of Christ as the «nly foundation of hope, and with' iit the recep- 
tion of which there is nothing to be looked for but the fiery inlignatiou of Jeho- 
vah. On this local principle which we believe is never cordially embraced but 
by the teaching ol the Holy Spirit, we woiilJ invite the co operation of our fellow- 
cbristians." 

One point to which the society is directing its efforts is, to raise np tracts from the de- 
gradation into which they have sunk. Among the means of effecting l!ii«, their tracts 
are covered with strong paper, the edges are trimmed, and each tract is emtjelliKhed 
with an illustrative cut. Bat the society is strenuously endeavoring to elevate tracts 
in a more important respect — the estimation in woich they are held by cultivated minds. 
To this an I thrt^tngh the medium of (he tract magaizii)>', and jn their corespondeiice, 
they continually endeavor to inculcate the stntiment, that '• fdf rational eutertainmi nt, 
for ••olid motriiction, for improvement of the heart, the whole circle of literature may be 
boldly challenged to produce their equal." 

The society looks with a paternal solicitude to the rising generation. In their desires 
th^^y <lo not stop short of seeing their tracts in the hands of every child that ran read 
in the state : and they would haidly propose to tiiemselves less in their aim. With this 
view, they <irst addressed themselves to the commissioners and trustees of our 7.400 
coiiimou schools, urging the introduction of their tracts into the schools a< rewards ; 
and next, sent a, specimen Tract to each school. Both of thase measures were strongly 
seconded by the secretary of state, acting superintendent of common schools, in two 
circular letters ; the first sent to everytown, the second to every school in the state ; and 
these he has followed up with i third an I a most aulmated circuliar, officially direct* 
ing the school and town officers to institute annutil ceUbrations, as the society had sug- 
gested on the covers of the specimMi tract they -eut out ; of which an instance in the 
town of Siilem, wider the auspices of the R'iv. Dr. Prouifit was given. Of this last 
circular 8^00 copies were pnbli>hed, and sent to " the com uissioners, insptctors, trus- 
tees, and teachers of common schools.and to the town clerks and district cleiks through- 
out the state." And he has received, and is coutiiiuAlly receiving, numerous answers 
approving the measures he had prescribed, and pro.nisiiig active co operation in car- 
rying tham into eff>ict ; many of th^in expressing, in tiie strongest terms a high 
sense of their beneficial effects, and some calling him the benefactor o\' the common 
schools. 

We would now earnestly, but respectfully appeal to the Christian conmunitif, for 
that prompt and substantial support which, from its mignitude and its plan, this enter- 
prize iiHeds, ;ind — we trust, we may all — which froin its successful oinmencemeut, its 
ch.iratter, and itsoJijects, it merits. W^ would present yon with tlie institution. Is it 
w >rtiiy of yflir acceptaice ? yon will not reject it. No : we are confident you will 
cordially receive, chfrish and nourish it witii true christian libi^rality. Judge ye, your- 
selves, whether it h is received an adequate support. We would not complain ; we are 
sensible tJiat m':i b.ifiretliey give their n mey -to any obj.^ct of benevolence, desire 
som*^ fair pledge thit it will b> vvell applie I ; and the claim is reasomhle. Our acts 
during ten months are before the public. The city of Albany, you perceive, has coa- 
tribctted nearly six times the amr>unt that has been contributed by the whole stale be- 
sides. 

For the spirit of the society we refer yau to its publications, to extracts from those 
of other societit>s which are onr madeh, an J to the letters addressed to iis by persons 
who are among the most ardent friends oftracts. These will all be seen in The JVetv-York 
Trut Migiizine. We trust the society is aboos all party feeling ; and that we honest- 
ly intend, and shall seduou.sly endeavor, to keep it &%free from Sectarianiim as the Bi- 
ble is. 

V 13 Lot Im Religious Triat Siciety issued 10,012,700 tracts during their last year, 
an I hive isssu^..l, iti all. 60,000,000 in twenty-five years. What shonid we say, were 
»"e to hear of tefi mUUons of the pestiferous tracts of infidelity being issued in a ycaf 



bj the German and French Iliunainati ? Should we not say, that all the existing barrier's 
a<ain«t vice would speedily be hioken down ; all the touii>a!i»s of social life be iioder- 
iri;ned ; al! the foiintaiiis ofdonipstic peace, sf curity and happi.iess poisoned ? and why 
Hhoiild not the opposite effect* be produced hy publications oian opposite Character ? 
Will it be answered — men imbibe evil much mortB eagerly than good ? It is tiue but is 
that a reason tor neglecting to circiilate religious tracts ? May we not, then, also appeal 
to every patriot, every fiiend of morality, of social order, and of huioaufty, to come for- 
ward and suppoit us liberally, in the great and arduous enterprize iu which we have 
embarked ? 

SAM'L. M. HOPKINS, ) 
W. A. TWEED Dale, > Executive Committee. 
JOHN WILLaRD, S 
We unite la the foregfling 



LEWIS LEONARD, > 

HENRY R. WEED, } CounasUorsf. 

JOHN LUDLOW, S 



(E.) 



SCHOOL OFFICERS OF LEBANON TO MR. YATES. 

Sin, 

Much time has elapsed since the reception of your Circular, requiring school cele- 
brations. Your request that you might receire an answer within thirty days, we are 
sensible has uet beea complied with. Various reasons for noo-compiiance uiight be 
rendered ; but suffice it to say, your Circular has been the occasion of much distur- 
bance in this town. The people are generally opposed to celebrations. The meas- 
ure is disapproved on many accounts, but the principal one appears to be, the encour- 
agement in that Circular to adopting tb« use of religious tracts. The inhabitants of 
this town. Sir, appear to be determined to maintain their rights, and not to submit to 
the least intrusion, either directly or indirectly, upon their civ I or religious privi- 
leges. Several meetings have been holden upon the occasion, and some division 
in the sentiments of our citizens appears. In regard to conveaienres for Cele- 
brations, we have no excuse to make. We have two roeetipg-bouses, cither of wh.ch 
is suificieutiy capacious to accommodate the people who would naturally attend a cel- 
ebration, Our roads we consider commodious. Indeed, Sir. we have no excuse, ex- 
cept it be, we will not comply — that is we know the people will not comply. The meas« 
ure has some friends. 

We desire. Sir, that you have the goodness to answer the following inquiries. 

1st. Does the Common School Act Invest the aclug Superintendent with discretion' 
ary powers to require Comiiion School Celebrations ? 

2d. Was it the intention of the acting Superintendent^ when his InstrnctioDS were is. 
sued, that they should be obligatory ? 

3d. In case of noB-compliance, (provided they are considered obligatory) shall the 
people of this town snSer in consequence of such non compliance ? 

4tb. Is the substance contained in the t7-act, etititled "The Pensioner and bis daugh- 
ter Jane" (which it appears your honor has been pleased to circulate) founded in tact ? 
We are n^itb due respect, 

Your most obedient servants, 

kPHRAlM GRAY, ) Commissioners 

SILAS SEYMOUR, } of 

FRANCIS WHITMORE. V Common Schools. 
SAMUEL COLLISTER, an inspector of Common Schools.. 
JOSIAH OWEN, Town Clerk of Lebanon. 
ttebanon, Madison County, January lOth 1825. 

B«n. J. V. N. Yate;, See'y of State, and acting Superintendent of Common Sohoetii. 



34 

(F.) 

ANSWER. 

Itoni your towi) in a nuanaer/a% official. j^ y^ j^^ YATES. 

Albany. December '2& 1826. 

EpUraim Gray & bamuel CoUister, Esqri. Lebanon. 



(G.) 



MR. YATRS TO THE SCHOOL OFFICERS OF LEBANON, [or his serond ao^ 
swer to tbe leltei marked E.] 

State of New-York. ) 

Secretary'* Office. S 

Albany. Jiimiaiy 17, Ibt^S. 

*^ To vorftr^t qu^stioo, " Do*", the Common School Acf invest th. acting Superintend 
d J. ..fCom noD%c.ools w.th dhcretio.ary pon>en to require common school celehra- 
tion'j" — . 

Vo;rSJ^:^""'^Js'fr intention or the acting S„peri..en<lent wW^ 
hi. !?.. rncttons to ado,t scho.l c.lebraiion. were iss-.ed, tb.t th.y sho.i.d he o.l.ga o« 

'^'lIi.s»ver3/«^ m all cases vrbere suitable accommotlatioas for the purpose existed io 

%ovo:.r third question. "Incase of non compliance ( provided tb.y «re considered 

Sion.-r .nd "j^ ''^;^;^- J^,;,; t:;;';*':;',;;;'S;;;rten,lency of that tract, I have not ea- 
I au^wrr that h-iving '07^""''^'" ,c ,,,^„|^ rf.em that point import mt, 

q„,re.i whoth.r it ''*V"'': .^If;. JeS to you Y.m oughr however di4i..ctly ta 
it sl.ali b" ascrriiin-d in I commuuuate^ to you. *'"' " ^ ..^ entirely to 

„n -.rstan ., .h U th- Co n.ni.s.one.s and '"^^ "i;^,;'^ ^tact" bt k. premium* o. 
th. ir o«n ju<I„n. nt anrt di.cr.tu,,. whett.er he> will use r.c^ts. ho a , ^ ^^^^^^^^.^ 



1;'.;K.I. pot J.. f"or.b.e i. our Co«.mon^eho„_|.^^^ _^^^.^^ ^^^^,, 

J V. N, Y \ ' ii''5, 
^cdn^ Superintendent of Common Schools, 
Messrs. Gray, Seymoar. Whitmore, Colluter and 0*.eD. 

DEPOSIT 

O? t\.e CommVUee ow Ulevalure, ov. l\ie ^elU\ou of 
luVvdbilawls oi Lebauou. 
IN SENATE, MARCH 19, 1823. 

",;:!,' from the act>ug°super>.>tende„t of common school., 

Report— ■,rpelev<inl matter contained in the petition 

Th« among a great 'i"' "f '^'^J .'^j ^,pr,,,,d in the mo.t bccommg 

^-^:t::^::^ -^^rsr s::::^:^^^::.:-" 

=,?; iS:;dT'-rfira jrt'lmpo^tLu'nhWof comp>a,n. ,s. 
-Tr;7co™,nitt.e cn„*te<, o.'.he Hon, M«,r.. J. C. Speocer. S, W"?b. a»J J ^»H. 

tenets of t/ieir rHig.ons too are widely fy^;"^^"^'/^^ "^^^ ^^^d, j, either msrain'*, ..r 
that the gaid,..2 principle in th. umonoi .f^";^ ^"^rj^j^'^^^^^^f Jfi,«t „,.mbef. of 
t/.. people-, good! Tbe significant «- " ^^y^' '" Js TO WER '' "peaks volnmes ..poa 
the AVn; York Tract Magasme, that UN10^ n^ ruwtn, 1' Pies^yte- 

It .n.>ject. So^e.hat .Ul. more ;^;;hevv. by^a C.cn.a. ^'^^^^'^^^ZJ^ I 

caUy. •• 1. fa.thf..i discipline in all the chnrches of Uk Amencan -^^'-jf .^'/f^. 
c,>n/ legisiatioa in all the branches of o.,r .i.i f^t!T!^;^.^]^2^l'?, '" 
oress them together, there must be one great UN I i hJ) A AT IOr»J A L -l/f < rf . 
^Btt the plan, ol tlm ftof^ ai/ra.r« tn Jm.rica arc , d pos^.bU . „u.,e '"' ^ ^f^ J^ V^. 
an anouy mous C .rcular, if.,, d within . U w .ronths, imn Aloany o, ^;«-^/^^^; P^^", 
, iied by a inao ot do commoB talents, and undressed " 2 o the Friends of RtUgion am 



the ri^ht exercised by the superintendent, of recommending books, not 
8tncty school books, to be used in common schools, and the petitioner, 
compl.u) particularly of his having so recommended a particular tract. 
The actmg supenntendent supposes this power is given him by the 38tli 
•ect.on of the -act for the support of common schools," passed April 12 
1819 by which It IS made the duty of that officer to cause to be printed 
published and distributed among the inhabitant,, in this state, ei-ht thou- 
sand copies of the said act, " and such instructions as shall be tho'ught nc 
cessHry and proper, for the better goverment and organization of commoa 
schools, thus inferring the right to eive such instructions. W.tliout 
.B.opp.ng to inquire whether that ijnplied power was not entirely spent, 
vhen the instructions then prepaied were printed and distributed, the com- 
mittee cannot perceive in the words quoied, any authority whatever to 
recommend or direct the use of anyj>articula^ooks in common schools. 

good govern;uaU'yt, a .>,ve. r..,,.est,„. ti„ Iv^^i^^I^^l^ft^iTci^ir^^tol^^ 
havr. ,imUar vieivs" la this Circular, w>,icl, has already been noticed by several Edi- 
tors, the writer, aft. r be^t-.^ing ..„|ogj„,ns iipou Theological Seminaries, Bible, Mis. 
•louary and Tract Societies, and particul irly the establi4.,n«nt of a National Tra.t So- 
ri^ty at New York, lays down the prii,cij>les-that •' By enlisting nu.H<rrical force io 
the cause o Re .g.on all the .,pp„sitiou o. ioHdelity will b. borne down and overuower- 
Jl r L K. .u'"*3^ ^*' onsid-M-ed orthodox, which has the most adherents, who are 
made so by birth, education or arcidenf'=^_that •' as sure as there is a tendency and 
graT.taf.ou -d natural or physical bodies toward, each other, so sure, in the moral and 
rehgious .lorld. will the lesser bodies or sects be attracted to the /ar^esf'-an.! that 
^ I be b.!H»e>s .1 'loyerum-nl ough , as much as possible, and may be p.acticible 
to produce Mia'/»/rt.r^/ HQd concord, both in our ciyi] .„vi religious m<[\un\on,.'' He 
Tery sagely oh«erye« that " the child generally inherits the r^li^io,, .,f its parent <*nd 
€a,i easily bemowded, according to circBinslances into almost any, and if necessary, into 
a Aatimulf^rn, 'f Atter giving bis friends to understand, thai he is no Episcojfalian 
while be holds up the fine example of an Established Religion .n England as a model 
ol.mit.t.on for this Republic, he then proposes to "make Ihe prevailing religion of 
the siHeAatwnal m its form, tendency and operation." This Circular dtvel ,pes the 
^v'V-i'Di 1' ^T^ i?*'^ "*' ^J '"'g?««t"'S in circuitous language,! he union of the "PllES- . 
BV I KRIANS, Episcopalians. Baptists, Methodists. &c."J in the formation of " a wise 
Aatwnal treed. ' But the gist oil he whole argument is found in the exultation that 
the Clerical robe is becoming less and less the theme of scoff, rs, and more- and 
more a ^roud an I honorable bartj.« to him. who, for his theological attainments h 
f.'"/. M K 'V't'" »'ie mystical intimation Ihat ffRse privihged palro.iw ofholiness 
should be dpt.nguished by a more n-iZionu^ cndune,\\ which would be so|em„ and 
impo.ing, andvurhas ivculd secure to the sncndotal character, that rwercnre nhirh f, 
due to It -and hnally, i„ the anticipation of (tCT " secu.ing from Congress an appro, 
pnat.on of a port .on of tb; public lai.ds. te a limited, and yet sufficient number f tha 
C/rr^^, and for a well, !phnf;d course of Education." ^ -^ J "■ 

To the Ti. MS ao«! lanaungehne abstracted, whieii will Im rendered ir.ore sti iking 
mi . xplK-it by a perusal of th.^ Cucnlnr itstif, we add no i.ioie.-The heart of ever? 
ircfman will furnish its own coniinnu?. 

,,rI.nN/r,"'V'""'rC '^' ^'■''hl^':''""s in Ills State, « ho are evirlently rnom.t; anrl ah' (Lose who are 
tlftll- .^ PM -' "",'■' ,'^'", ^''^"""'- "^«' «^'«- "'^'h of a creed is to be n,.a.urecl by nn,i,btrs, 
in^to „o witn hfi Bthle but to traffic witii .1, rule ,l as a hobby, or give it to the heathen. 

t if may ;^ell be ask. d, .. not ihif the leading object «f Sabbath School m&mztvi,~iQ mould the ri- 
sing- jienerafion to iheir " jw/zon./Z purposes? * 

J 1 his IS a (air sample of " the lesser bodies or sects" to be " attracted to" or I'.Iuped br^ " thflnr^ 
gtst. i 

fl Whether the wig, mitre, eowi or roektd hat, we are not told. 



37 

The organization of common schools, certainly has nothing to d ^.^^. 
books : "nor can your committee perceive how the authority to yceh .^^y 
rules for the better gnvtrnmmt of schools, implies the right to direct pa^rj, 
ticulnir books or studies. It obviously relaies to the defining the respec , 
tive powers and duties of commiss-oners, inspectors, trustees and school- 
masters. If the legislature had intended to vest in the superintendent the 
very important power of prescribing the particular spelling-books, read- 
ing lessons, and books of arithmetic, to be used in the common schools of 
the state, by which a most vexatious and unnecessary expense would be 
frequently thrown upon parents, in compelling their children to aban- 
dou the books tht7 already had for new ones, your committee conceive 
that such a power would have been distinctly given, in terms that could 
not admit of a doubt. This consideration would lead to a rigid construc- 
tion of any taw supposed to confer such a power, and appears decisive in 
the present case, when the words of the act can be fully satisfied, without 
giving to them such an extensive operation. If the superintendent ha« 
no power to piescnbe the use of books, authoritatively, he has none t» 
recommend them officially ; for it is not pretended that there is any oth- 
er part of the law giving such power, than that before quoted ; and if that 
confers any power, it is absolutely to command. Although this practice 
was adopted by the former superintendent, and has been, with the bs;st 
intentions, followed by the present incumbent, yet the committee cannot 
eritertain a doubt, that there is no authority for it. And if they supposed 
there was any such authority, they would not hesitate to recommend its 
immediate repeal. Independent of the consideration of enormous ex- 
pense, which it would produce, before mentioned, the direction of select- 
ting books, would, in its nature, be very liable to abuse, and would afford 
a most fruitful subject of contention, dissatisfaction and difficulty. The 
authors of school books, who failed to obtain the recommendation of the 
superintendent, would be the last to submit, in silence, to his decision. — . 
Town inspectors and commissioners, trustees of school districts, and pa- 
rents who send their children to school, have their favorite authors and 
systems, which, it is well known, are not easily surrendered. These 
sources of contention would be augmented, if the discretion of the super- 
intendent were extended to books partaking, in ^he least, of a religious 
character ; for no such book, excepting the bible, could be recommendedj 
without affording to the jealous and watchful eyes of the difTcrent denom- 
inations, subjects of criticism, cavil and complaint. If any proof of this 
should be required, it will be found in the very petition referred to your 
committee. The tract recommended by the acting superintendent, call- 
ed The Pensioner, is, perhaps, as inotlensive as any such work can well be 
written : and yet the excitement it has produced, is by no means confined 
to the petitioners. And while the committee entertain no doubt of th<g 
pure and benevolent intentions of the gentlemen associated to publish that 
and similar tracts, and of the upright and laudable intentions of the su- 
perintendent, in giving, them an official recommendation, and a currency 
through his office, yet they arc persuaded, that the very attempt to con- 
vert the common schools into channels for their circulation and distriba*; 



88 

vill cxcito so much hostility, and so much apprehpnsion of encroach^ 
''°"'-Vf))on relifiions (enets, that it will defj^at the very obje. t ; and 



,^>f cor:«mittee are far from reprehendini^ thi'< watchfulness and iea<oiisy 
of rehgioris infltienre. The effects of bigotry and intoleranre, in otlie.r 
countries teach ns to appreciate our own inestimable libert> ofconscience, 
and to watch and resist the very first steps which may lead to such con- 
sequences among ourselves. 

Your commitlet have entered into this train of reflfcfions. in order to 
exhibit a full view of the dangers to be apprehended from the exerc<s( of 
the power of reco.Mrneiiding books among tic'vi. (he m st serious is, the 
fejreat probability thnt it would produie so much d'ssansfadion aiid conten- 
tion, as to break up the whole system of cojo ni)n school edication. And 
in this view of it, they feel bouu<l to express l.ieirh »pe. that as the Super- 
intendent hag no authority to prescribe books to he used in c m non 
sciiools, and of course none to r. rommend such books otficiali\, he w iH 
abstain from giving such recofnmeiul.«tioi»g indivnluaiiy ; lor the obi ions 
reason, thai there arc (aw who will m ik<- the distmciion between a*. < ffi .al 
and an individual act ; and the consequences resulting from either would 
not be materially different. 

Another subject of complaint is. titat the superintendent h>is directed 
annual celebrations of a number of schools in the same vicinity, a. id has 
given instructions to clerks oj towns <^ school districts, tn relation to tiiem. 
The power to do this ;s claimed under the words of the 38th section he- 
fore quoted. Although the conmittee can perceive .jo great evil hkelj 
to result from these celebrations, but on the contrary, some benetit may 
be derived from tiiem, yet they cannot (ind, in the lan^^uage of the law, 
any authority for directing them. They certainly do not come within ei- 
ther of the terms " the organization and governnieiit of common schools," 
for which onl} the superintendent is authorised to issue nistnictiOiS. — 
Still less does iha. language sanction any authoritative directions to town 
clerks and district clerks, on that or any other subject within their otlicial 
duties. 'J'hese celebrations, and the manner of conducting theim must be 
Jeft to the patriotism and iiitelligt>nce of the officers who have the more 
immediate charge of coimnon S( hools. 

It appears to the committee, that m one instance where the trustee of a 
school district had written an improper It-tterio the superintendent, lliat offi- 
cer foibade the pa) in^ over of any public money to him, as such trustee, 
atid by that means compelled him to resign his office. It is due to the ac- 
ting superinteiident to state, that upon refl(Ction he does not himself jus- 
titV tliis act b} any law. It is scarcely necessary to say that it was wholly 
U!iauthorised, 

In conchuliiig their report upon a subject which has afforded them no 
pleasure, the conuuittee cannot lorbear to commend the vigilance, hdelity, 
ifiduslry and ability displayed by the acting superintendent, in the dis- 
charge of the complicated «nd multifarious duties of his station. And be- 
lieving that the eiiors which have been pointed out, are mistakes of judg- 
ment, into many of which he was led b) tlie example o( lus predecessor, 
the committee arc uiianimoubiy ol opiniOHj thai the prayer of the petition- 



ers for his removal from office oni^ht not to be ijrfinteJ. And as they l»e- 
lievf the existing laws do ,.oi: nuthorise the acts complained of, they drv 
not perceive ihe necessity of retommendinji the papsa^^'e of any law ore 
the subject. Thej there- (ore ask to be discharj^ed from the further consid- 
eration of the petitions and comaiunications rei'eired to them. 



As R supplement to th€?c documents we may here note. thatconfessetUy 
in coiUinuHiioti of the proerts of the New York Stale Tract Society, the 
Neo- York Slate Braru h of (he American Tract Society, findinii their u?e 
of ihv ..M.isid tool, Mr. Secretary Y ites. somewhat deranged, have Iniely 
d sir<buted by mail a fi'sirth Cin ular. dated "•Albany 1st Dec. i825," 
sii^ned b) their Executive Committee, & addresi^ed "" To the commission- 
tis of Common Schools. " With this the\ send a " Catalogue of nearly 
200 ( iii!di( ifs Rooks" [tracts of al! Mzes] " pubiis(»eu by tlie Aniericaa 
Sab'j-'Jli Sciiooi Union and the New- York Reiiii;iotjs Tract Society, and 
sJso of tlie tracts published by ihe Amer5can 'l>act Society. New 'York, 
and by the Ni w-York Slate Tract Society Albany," — and with no small 
art.il suothennii il.e circumstance of their defeat and chagrin, again, press 
Ir eir tracts and celebration parades upon the patronage of our school of- 
ficer? : but unlike the sdming liberality with which fhey commenced, (ia 
the distributioi? of" the Pensioner") they jjropose, with a limping apology 
for fiteir parsimojiy in «aving pos(age, To convert at once " the members of 
the legislature" (wiiiuJ s volentes, phant souls,) into grahiilous post'-idfrs 
for the Tract Society, — and sagaciously observe in pointed letters, that 
" If every school in the state should procure to the value of One Dollar 
of these books, and distribute them as rpwards at a school celebration^ 
they would not iail of promoting a taste for useful reading, and of produ- 
cing a pntuff-ful moral injiutnce.''''^ 

The natuj^e and residency of this ^^ inflwncf^'' we have already shewn, &: 
w'aii we mgbt farther expect when once the eyes of our youth are teught 
to -yzc intently upon these insidious works as substitutes for the bible and 
the ^ rw ss'-ngers of sahnt7on'^- (as they have sometimes been styled) we 
niny readily judge from the fact, that the American, alias the National 
Tract Societv wiiich now besets our schools, has recently awardled a 
PiiEMlUM OF FIFTY DOLLARS for the best Tiact "On the duty 
of professors of rfhgion, and especially those who have wealth, to (JOr»[- 
SECRATE THEIR PROPERTY to the spread of the gospel,"— or ia 
otijer words, to bhndiy strip their families and their creditors, mortgage 

* See their Circular. The follow ing is their form of a " Weekly report, which" (they sa^ ) " shouk!- 
be «f-nt to thf parents of all scholars wh' Iher entitled to tokens [of creciitj or not," to be proWu. 
ceil in public at the annual celebration ; — thus prepared to stive at once the double purpose -of api- 
eneer to make waj am; rf as _v sale for their tracts, and a terrific rod of official scorn to besit riowB 
the noble spirit oi' f very youth, who may have discernment ana independence enough to treat their 
hypocritical intrusions with merited contempt. 

" Weekly Report — 2 Tokens, redeemable in Books (viz. tracts) at the annual Celebration. This 

•ertifies that E F stands on the Cla^s List^ Ibis week, first in Geography, in writing.. 

in epelliog in reading, and in cyuferiu^ : entithng him, after dc-' 

^acting FINES FOH MlSCOiNDUCT, t» credit fer two tokens." 

"2 -X. y, Te.&8i»pr- 



40 

and bequeath estates for wh.it their leaders call plowt purposes^ and poar 
cash by thousands into the capacious and expandiiiij pockets of the domi* 
nant clergy. 

The enormous "power" too, which they anticipate, can scarcely be 
conceived, but by a reference to the similar insidious progress and colos- 
sal .^'•''des of the Jesuits previous to their suppression, which merely 
char'ged the muigled current of church atjd state, but never purified the 
poisoned stream. We content ourselves with a few extracts from their 
history. 

" They [the Jesuits] adopted the same spirit of accommodation in their 
missionary undertakings ; and their Christianity, came!ion-hke. readily 
assumed the colour of every region where it happened to be introduced* 
They freely permitted their converts to retain a full proportion of the old 
superstitions, and suppressed without hesitation any point in the new faith 
-which was likely to bear hard on their prejudices or propensities." * * * 

" The professed intention of their new order was, to promote with un- 
equalled and unfettered zeal, the salvation of mankind. Its pro^jress, nev* 
ertheless, was at tirst remarkably slow." * * * '' They applied them- 
selves to every useful function and curious art ; and neither neglected nor 
despised any mode, however humble, of gaining employment or reputa- 
tion." * * * * " They labored with the greatest assiduity to qualify 
themselves as the instructors of youth ; and succeeded at length in sup- 
planting their opponents in every C'atholic kingdom." * * * " Whert 
Loyola, in 1540, petitioned the Pope to authorize the institution of the 
Jesuits, he had only ten disciples ; but in 1608, the number amounted, 
to 10,581. Before the expiration of the sixteenth century, they had ob- 
tained the chief direction of the education of youth in every Catholic 
county in Europe, and had become the confessors of almost all its no- 
blest monarchs. They i\\n% formed the minds of men In their youth, and 
retained the ascendency over them in their advanced years. They took 
part in every public measure, and possessed at different periods the di- 
rection of the principal courts in Europe." * * * " In 1710, they pos- 
sessed 24 professed houses, 59 houses of probation, 340 residences, 612 
COLLEGES, 200 MISSIONS, 150 SEMINARIES, and 19,998 mem- 
bers,"* — and we may add, a wealth unrivalled and unexampled, and » 
POWER that encircled the civilized world with its chains. 



■* S«e Edinburgh EncyclopasdiB, Volume Xf. pages 167— 169- 



To liberal minds, our cause needs no apolo.y ; buHhe ^^.^jiM,r c.ur 
aUrnsB'ons may require us to observe, th;U the subject i= iar rom Dtm 
exhau ted That\e close connection between the .mmed.ate cause of 
?u colplaint, and the various parts of the range we l-- ta <en shou d 
h.vP escaped the notice of the committee on hterature, is not to be wo„ 
dered a whei we consider the crowd of business betore the ieg.sla ure 
t s last session, and th. very limited time wh.ch v^as If t^e- ^^f^ 
vass all the bearings upon the interests of the people, of so extensive a 
lub ec asthe intrigues^ of the cloister. As to our language, ^ome of 
which ''the committee cautiously observe, " is not the mos becom.ng,'r 
U^'sp^k^Htself; it may shL, that while ^^^^^^^t^ 
ture with unmingled respect, we were not very careful to render honor 
to whom honor" was not duL We leave it with an unbiassed pubhc to 
dec de whether, as a portion of the insulted citizens of a free state, 
we have exceeded the limits of either justice, temperance or propriety. 

Brthon^^^^^^^^^ have touched but hastily ^nd lightly upon 

the mosl important division of our subject ;-thx,ush they have admj led 
purirof motives to the offending officer and his managers ; (which by 
the way is a mere compliment, addressed to h.s lack of judgment and the 
sancT'ty of their professions)-though watched by the jaundiced eyes of 
b'gX in the ver7 halls of legislation, thfeir intelligence and patriotism 
hive not left us without a decision. Our charges are sustained and our 
weU founded jealousy sanctioned and commended. They have though 
by a movement so gentle as to be almost unperce.ved dashed the pois- 
oned chalice from the lips of the people-they have eluded the approach- 
es of these sdf-styhd fathers of our children, and have defeated the 
most insidious scheme that ever was devised to undermine the freedon of 
Jhe State. Though, through poHcy or compassion, they have spared the 
Superintendent, they have'stripped him of ^Js canonical authority ; and 
their wholesome admonitions both to him and h.s dencal friends will long 
bl remembered, '^ while memory holds a seat" among the virtuous and 

*^ w'e have said, that our subject was far from being exhausted. This 
might be tested by a multitude of facts yet in store ; but we torbear,wh.le 
tve pause to notice a train of corresponding movements which appeared 
at the Capitol last winter, and which fully shews, that the Tract Soce.y 
were not alone in their experiments upon the constitution, as if to try its 
strength, and to see how far the union of church and f ^^ "^'^^^ ^^ ;/; 
fected, without excting public suspicions. W%«1'"\ ^P"*,"^ j?>l7 
grand concert of petitions poured into the house ^^ «^f '"^'^ !*> f'^^^V. 
Ixpresident Fitch of Ontario, the Onondaga Presbytery and the domi- 
nant clergy and their adherents in other parts of the state, for compellmg 



42 

tile observance of the Cliristifiii Sabbath, by closing the canal locks, pw^ 
hibitin;; the passage of steam boats, ire. on that day— which petitions 
were referred to a committee of which Mr. Finn of "Orange was chair- 
man. We have seen " the fear of the" clergy '' be'orc/jw eyes," — hi» 
Yain attempt to shutB-i ofT tlie responsibility of displeasin;^ his reverend 
friends, upon the Canal Commissioners — their judicious silence upon 
the subject — .ind his tampering, evasive report upon the s:tme subject, 
(viz. that of closing the canal locks upon the Sabbath) in which, with- 
out saying a word upon the constitutional objection to the petitions, he 
bow8 to the petitioners with this concession — " The committee consider 
iha due observance of the Sibbath and the precepts of Chriftfanii^ as of vast 
importance to the /?re5«rpah"on oyc/r// on^^er." — Why then, we ask, not 
grant the petitions? The principle reason which he assigns for refusing 
them, is but a poor excuse for his practice, sitice he has assumed the 
propriety of mingling the christian faith with legislative acts. It is lite- 
?ally '* doing evil that good may come." The main argument is in sub- 
stance, that it would be the occasion of more wickedness and immorality 
to detain the boatg than to let them pnss. 

This position may be correct — bijt is that a coi)stitutional reason for 
rejecting the clerical petitions ? — is that a reason for a statesman to ^ive? 
No — Had the committee not been hoodvyinked — had they duly apprecia- 
ted the Charter of our rights, they would have said, 'while we remain a 
free state, your request can never be granted : — jt is inconsistent with 
the constitution and with rational liberty, to establish onp class of reli- 
gious worshippers above another, or to n^alce a law which shall compel 
the observance of any article of the Christian faith in preference to a 
conflicting article of the Mahometan, Jewish or any other cree^.' With 
such views, the point would have been settled at once, without the for- 
mality of calling upon the Canal Commissioners for information fcspecr 
ting the " conseqtiences''^ of closing the canal locks upon the Sabbath. 

This report exhibits indeed, the majesty of our constitution — its pow- 
erful control even upon the minds of bigots ; that, in the very actofeva- 
fling the spirit and meaning of that instrument, they should be constraiiJr 
ed most unwillingly to obey iho letter. 

We have been more U-ce in our remarks upon this ambiguous report 
of Mr. Finn, because we h ive found this very man, in a niost decided 
shape, the author of a hill before the house, which " authorizes justi- 
ces of the peace to issue subpoenas, requiring the attendance of witnes- 
ses, before a consistory or any other church authority, when charges are 
made against a member of a church, for which he is to be tried by such 
authority." 

Who is there so blind as not to see the character (if not direct inten- 
ti'on) of this bill ? What is it but to invest the clergy with the pontifical 
robe and mitre by an act of statp — to give an air of dignity and an usage 
of power to their ecclesiastical tribunals — to legalize their slanders and 
oppression — to enable them <o compel and pervert evidence, and to 
^raw up and otter libels vvjth impunity, in the very face of our conslitqr 



43 

^.ipn and laws. In fine, to countenance and gfve power to a tribunal^ 
even the establishment of which the constitution prohibits. 

These glaring invasions of the Constitution should be known and re* 
membered by every citizen of the state, who is worthy of the freedom 
he inherits. 

Let not the tongue of slanderer bigoted invective against the memo- 
rialists personally, conceal for a moment, the evils they expose. Their 
acquaintances can fully refute any invidious comparispns of them with 
their feliow citizens of other towns, in their honor, morality or religious 
professions and character ; and to those unacquainted with then), we 
may add, — let the memorials be examined with patience and impartiality, 
and we are confident that nothing will be found in them prejudicial to any 
religion which does not mingle the'^iews of civil government with its 
faith. We are well aware, that in this country as in others, there are 
ambitious ntien, who are unwilling to stand before the public for promo- 
tion, unanpinted by the powerful hands of clerical support — who think 
or pretend to think, that .,the wheels of government and gpod order 
can not move together, without the guiding and controlling influence of 
the clergy, and that no danger can arise to community from increasing 
that influence to an unlimited extent. With such spirits we have no coni- 
cnunion. 

It remains for us here tp give our views upon a question, which has 
been repeatedly put, ajuidst the confusions of party— ' What is the crite- 
rion for a Republican ?' — Where is the political pole star that will guide 
us safely through the mists of conflicting interests and opinions ? We 
answer, that in the beautiful gradation of rights, with which it has plea- 
sed a merciful and beneficent Providence to invest us as a community of 
citij^ens.we consider with the enlightened Coxe,that Religious Freedom 
IS THE B45IS of all pur civil blessings. Of course, we shall begin to de- 
fine a Republican by saying, that he is opposed to every species of reli- 
gious establishment, by legislative, executive or judicial authority, and 
to all that machinery of ambition and policy, which tends to invest any 
body or set of men with larges accumulations of power and wealth un- 
der religious pretences. He is the citizen, who never makes professions 
of sanctity essential to the preservation of" civil order, '''^ or in other wordsj 
who never makes piety a passport to ojffice ; — whose views of civil govern- 
mentjfrom the lowest to the highest — ^I'rpm the simple act of suflroge to tUp 
most complicated exercise cf official influence or authority, are never 
(extended to the religious faith of others. 

We might finish the description by adding, that his own interest will 
never be suffered to rise paramount to the rights of the people or the 
good of community. The picture is too perfect for nature; — the great'* 
est patriot is liable to err ' but the experience of ages forces us to re- 
mark, that those who err in political views or conduct through religious^ 
pride or umbitjon, are, of all others, the most irreclaimable. The bigot 
sees the blessings of heriven made only for him and his friends, and he 
proudly wishes to confine the blessings of earth to the same subjects ;— 
his nptions pf ^elf .consequence piake hjm aristocratic in his very nature. 



44 



if perchance, he gets into the chair of authority, you may approach hiiii 
with a history of invaded rights — with the voice of reason and of truth — & 
he takes the immediate alarm for the dignity of his oMce or the sanctity 
of his pfrson j his ears will contract with his mind, and he will spurn yoa 
from his presence, unheard iSi unredressed. It is refreshing however to 
think, that against the elevation of such men there is a remedy : the 
strong sceptre of sulfrage is yet in the hands of the people, and if they 
expect to maintain it and their precious constitutions, it must be wielded 
with an intelligent scrutiny into the various views of their candidates, and 
this scrutiny must commence W'th a rational^ vigilant and well direeterf 
jealousy for their Religious Rights. 



